Muse, Mankins Cleared In Murders
(Staff File Photo By D.J. Peters)
CLEARED NAME: Greg Muse is interviewed at the Belo I Unit in Palestine on August 20, 2003. Romeo Pinkerton pleaded guilty, during his trial, to the KFC murders on Monday.
Over the years, people identified as suspects in the KFC case have said they want to clear their name.
Gregory Muse was questioned by a grand jury about his suspected involvement and voluntarily submitted a DNA sample to investigators.
In 2003, Muse, who was then incarcerated in Belo I Unit outside of Palestine on an attempted murder conviction, told the Tyler Paper in an exclusive interview that he was innocent.
"I want people to know I'm talking about this because I didn't do it, and I want to ease my mother's pain," he said. "These are some serious allegations. This kind of thing can get you the death penalty."
Muse said he feared being "framed" for the murders.
"I told them to do all the tests they wanted to because mine's (DNA) not going to be there."
In Oct. 2005, Jimmy Mankins Jr. of Kilgore, who was once identified as the "prime suspect" said being wrongly associated with the crime "ruined my life, my name and my family's name."
Gregory Muse was questioned by a grand jury about his suspected involvement and voluntarily submitted a DNA sample to investigators.
In 2003, Muse, who was then incarcerated in Belo I Unit outside of Palestine on an attempted murder conviction, told the Tyler Paper in an exclusive interview that he was innocent.
"I want people to know I'm talking about this because I didn't do it, and I want to ease my mother's pain," he said. "These are some serious allegations. This kind of thing can get you the death penalty."
Muse said he feared being "framed" for the murders.
"I told them to do all the tests they wanted to because mine's (DNA) not going to be there."
In Oct. 2005, Jimmy Mankins Jr. of Kilgore, who was once identified as the "prime suspect" said being wrongly associated with the crime "ruined my life, my name and my family's name."
MANKINS
His attorney, Daryll Bennett said Mankins was a "scapegoat."
Investigators focused on Mankins, the son of a former state representative, after they learned he had had a torn fingernail. Parts of a torn nail were found on the body of one of the victims.
DNA evidence proved the nail did not belong to Mankins.
"DNA is a wonderful thing. I imagine if it wasn't for DNA then they (prosecutors) would have convicted me and sent me to death row. I could have easily been executed," he said in the 2005 interview.
State District Judge Clay Gossett has ordered that Mankins' record be expunged from all mention of the KFC indictments.
Investigators focused on Mankins, the son of a former state representative, after they learned he had had a torn fingernail. Parts of a torn nail were found on the body of one of the victims.
DNA evidence proved the nail did not belong to Mankins.
"DNA is a wonderful thing. I imagine if it wasn't for DNA then they (prosecutors) would have convicted me and sent me to death row. I could have easily been executed," he said in the 2005 interview.
State District Judge Clay Gossett has ordered that Mankins' record be expunged from all mention of the KFC indictments.
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