Prosecution May Call 120 Witnesses
Staff photo by Tom Turner
The KFC Trial of Romeo Pinkerton began today at the Bowie County Courthouse with jury selection. Pinkerton, seated second from the right, is on trial for the 1983 abduction and execution-style killings of five Kilgore residents.
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
NEW BOSTON — Prosecutors in the capital murder trial of a suspect in the 1983 KFC murder case could call as many as 120 witnesses, according to documents obtained today by the Tyler Paper.
Romeo Pinkerton, 49, is accused of taking part in killing five people abducted from what was then a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Kilgore. The victims were found shot to death the next day miles away on a secluded oil lease.
Staff Writer
NEW BOSTON — Prosecutors in the capital murder trial of a suspect in the 1983 KFC murder case could call as many as 120 witnesses, according to documents obtained today by the Tyler Paper.
Romeo Pinkerton, 49, is accused of taking part in killing five people abducted from what was then a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Kilgore. The victims were found shot to death the next day miles away on a secluded oil lease.
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The trial was moved to New Boston on a change of venue order by State District Judge Clay Gossett of Rusk County.
On Monday, Gossett heard pre-trial motions including a request by the defense to delay the start of the trial. Gossett denied the request.
He also excused five potential jurors who were qualified to be excused under state provisions.
On Wednesday, 345 more potential jurors will report to the courthouse as jury selection continues.
A questionnaire released today shows that potential jurors will be quizzed on their knowledge of the case — one of the most notorious unsolved mass murders in Texas — as well as the victims and the suspect. The potential jurors will have to answer questions that will also reveal their thoughts on using the death penalty, the questionnaire shows.
Texas Attorney General’s Office, which took over investigation and is now prosecuting the decades-old crime, filed papers indicating it could call as many as 120 people to the stand as part of the case against Pinkerton.
Among potential witnesses on the list is Darnell Hartsfield, Pinkerton’s cousin.
Earlier this year, Hartsfield was convicted of aggravated perjury for his involvement in the case. He had told a grand jury that he had not been at the crime scene. Prosecutors, however, said, that DNA taken from blood at the restaurant matched that of Hartsfield.
Lisa Tanner, the lead prosecutor, told the Tyler Paper the state is ready for the trial.
David Griffith, an attorney representing Pinkerton, said today he believes the actual trial could take months.
On Monday, Gossett heard pre-trial motions including a request by the defense to delay the start of the trial. Gossett denied the request.
He also excused five potential jurors who were qualified to be excused under state provisions.
On Wednesday, 345 more potential jurors will report to the courthouse as jury selection continues.
A questionnaire released today shows that potential jurors will be quizzed on their knowledge of the case — one of the most notorious unsolved mass murders in Texas — as well as the victims and the suspect. The potential jurors will have to answer questions that will also reveal their thoughts on using the death penalty, the questionnaire shows.
Texas Attorney General’s Office, which took over investigation and is now prosecuting the decades-old crime, filed papers indicating it could call as many as 120 people to the stand as part of the case against Pinkerton.
Among potential witnesses on the list is Darnell Hartsfield, Pinkerton’s cousin.
Earlier this year, Hartsfield was convicted of aggravated perjury for his involvement in the case. He had told a grand jury that he had not been at the crime scene. Prosecutors, however, said, that DNA taken from blood at the restaurant matched that of Hartsfield.
Lisa Tanner, the lead prosecutor, told the Tyler Paper the state is ready for the trial.
David Griffith, an attorney representing Pinkerton, said today he believes the actual trial could take months.
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