KFC Corp. Offers Reward For Murder Case Information
TylerPaper.com
The Texas attorney general’s office said today that the KFC Corp. has reinstated a reward for information in the 1983 Kilgore KFC murders case.
The new reward is for $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a recently revealed third suspect.
Romeo Pinkerton, 49, of Tyler, is serving five life terms in prison after pleading guilty in October to his role in the murders of David Maxwell, 20; Joseph Johnson, 20; Montgomery Landers, 19; Mary Tyler, 37; and Opie Hughes, 38. A second defendant, Pinkerton’s cousin Darnell Hartsfield, 46, also from Tyler, will be tried in early 2008 on the same capital murder charges.
During Pinkerton’s trial, Assistant Attorney General Lisa Tanner revealed DNA evidence that confirms the involvement of an unidentified third person.
“Romeo Pinkerton’s guilty plea brought the families of these five innocent victims one step closer to justice,” Attorney General Abbott said in a prepared statement. “While we remain focused on prosecuting the remaining defendant in this case, we urge anyone with knowledge about the third to contact us immediately. We are grateful to KFC Corporation for its generous support as we con-tinue to seek justice for these families.”
Anyone with information should contact the Texas attorney general’s office at 512- 475-4446 or the Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-TIPS (8477).
On the night of Sept. 23, 1983, Kilgore police and the Texas Rangers discovered the five victims on rural property in Rusk County. The office of the attorney general has been involved in the case since 1993, when then-Rusk County District Attorney Kyle Freeman requested investigative and prosecutorial assistance.
KFC Corp. issued a similar reward for information immediately following the murders, but it was never claimed.
The office of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is leading the investigation and prosecution, in conjunction with Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson.
The new reward is for $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a recently revealed third suspect.
Romeo Pinkerton, 49, of Tyler, is serving five life terms in prison after pleading guilty in October to his role in the murders of David Maxwell, 20; Joseph Johnson, 20; Montgomery Landers, 19; Mary Tyler, 37; and Opie Hughes, 38. A second defendant, Pinkerton’s cousin Darnell Hartsfield, 46, also from Tyler, will be tried in early 2008 on the same capital murder charges.
During Pinkerton’s trial, Assistant Attorney General Lisa Tanner revealed DNA evidence that confirms the involvement of an unidentified third person.
“Romeo Pinkerton’s guilty plea brought the families of these five innocent victims one step closer to justice,” Attorney General Abbott said in a prepared statement. “While we remain focused on prosecuting the remaining defendant in this case, we urge anyone with knowledge about the third to contact us immediately. We are grateful to KFC Corporation for its generous support as we con-tinue to seek justice for these families.”
Anyone with information should contact the Texas attorney general’s office at 512- 475-4446 or the Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-TIPS (8477).
On the night of Sept. 23, 1983, Kilgore police and the Texas Rangers discovered the five victims on rural property in Rusk County. The office of the attorney general has been involved in the case since 1993, when then-Rusk County District Attorney Kyle Freeman requested investigative and prosecutorial assistance.
KFC Corp. issued a similar reward for information immediately following the murders, but it was never claimed.
The office of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is leading the investigation and prosecution, in conjunction with Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson.
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