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Bennett acquittedOSCEOLA, Ark. (AP) —AM sissippi County man says he hoj he can return to work on a far living as he did before, now tha jury has acquitted him of capi murder in the shotgun slayings three people.“I feel like they made the ri| decision,” Roy Bennett st Tuesday after die jury’s verd was read in Mississippi Com Circuit Court. He said he was mad at anybody because of ( case brought against him.Bennett was charged in i April 24,1968, shotgun slayings Lisa Vega, 33, Paul Blackwood, and Bemie McKnight, 30. Th bodies were partially cloth when they were found outside abandoned pool hall about thi miles west of Bassett.Bennett’s first trial, last sprii ended in a mistrial.Prosecutor Scott Hunter said had no complaint, as long justice was served.“Obviously the circumstant nature of the evidence rose to ( highest consideration,” Hunl said.The case went to the jury h Monday afternoon, and they i liberated only about 45 minuj before recessing for the nig resuming at 9:30 the next moll ing. jJury foreman James Nichfl told Circuit Judge Gerald PearsB at 1:10 p.m. that the jury wl deadlocked, 9-3. The judge ■ structed Nichols that the jufl should continue its attempt * reach a verdict.The foreman returned again A hour later, saying jurors were ifl sure about some fingerpritfl found at the scene of the crinfl Pearson ordered the con reporter to play back an au« tape of testimony by Jim Beckl fingerprint expert with the i M Crime Lab. IAt one point in Beck’s testinfl ny, he said one set of fingerprin he examined was smudged al unidentifiable. IThe jury resumed deliberatiol after hearing the tape, al returned the innocent verdict I 4:16 p.m. I“I’m elated, I’m very pleasl with the verdict,” said Jol Henry, Bennett’s attorney. I Henry said he would seek Ba nett’s release on bond while I appeals a March conviction I drug trafficking, for which he !serving a 10-year prison senten J Bennett has been imprisoned I 15 months. IAt Bennett’s earlier trial, Hufler said he would seek the deal penalty. But he dropped that i| quest at the second trial. The on| other penalty for a capital murdl conviction under Arkansas lJ would have been life imprisol ment without parole. |
Newspaper Details
Blytheville Courier News
Blytheville, Arkansas, US
Wed, Dec 13, 1989
Page 17
Full Page
Clipped by
Melanie C.
TN, USA 23 Jun 2020
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