Update: Prosecution Rests In Sentencing Phase Of Mays' Trial
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
ATHENS – "I can’t say the effect my husband’s death has had on me and I pray that someday I can get over it," Patricia Ogburn said from the stand in a Henderson County courtroom this morning.
Staff Writer
ATHENS – "I can’t say the effect my husband’s death has had on me and I pray that someday I can get over it," Patricia Ogburn said from the stand in a Henderson County courtroom this morning.
Mrs. Ogburn was the state’s first witness in the sentencing phase of the capital murder trial of Randall Wayne Mays, who was found guilty Friday after five days of testimony.
Mays was convicted of killing Henderson County Sheriff deputy Tony Price Ogburn, 61, after he arrived at a scene to render aid in a domestic disturbance call. Mays is also accused of killing Investigator Paul Steven Habelt, 63, and injuring Lt. Kevin Harris.
Mays was convicted of killing Henderson County Sheriff deputy Tony Price Ogburn, 61, after he arrived at a scene to render aid in a domestic disturbance call. Mays is also accused of killing Investigator Paul Steven Habelt, 63, and injuring Lt. Kevin Harris.
Mrs. Ogburn testified that she was married 36 years to her late husband Tony and they had one child.
When asked how she was dealing with her husband’s death, Mrs. Ogburn replied, "I can’t even explain it. I haven’t been the same. His death was, was… I just don’t know what to say. I just refuse to say some things because I am still really mad and I feel his death could have been prevented."
When asked how she was dealing with her husband’s death, Mrs. Ogburn replied, "I can’t even explain it. I haven’t been the same. His death was, was… I just don’t know what to say. I just refuse to say some things because I am still really mad and I feel his death could have been prevented."
She continued saying her husband loved his job and began his day by praying that he would be safe.
"All he wanted to do is help the public and he surely believed in being a police officer," she said.
Tony Ogburn Jr. said, "Part of me is gone. I used to call on him for advice and I can’t call on my dad anymore."
"All he wanted to do is help the public and he surely believed in being a police officer," she said.
Tony Ogburn Jr. said, "Part of me is gone. I used to call on him for advice and I can’t call on my dad anymore."
He said it has been really hard for him and his children because they lost a grandfather.
"I have nightmares. Not every night, but quite often and I don’t get any sleep and I am always looking over my shoulder. I have a different outlook on life most times,” he said.
"I have nightmares. Not every night, but quite often and I don’t get any sleep and I am always looking over my shoulder. I have a different outlook on life most times,” he said.
Henderson County District Attorney Donna Bennett asked what he missed most about his father.
"Everything. My dad isn’t here for my mom and that is my biggest concern. I can’t talk to my father anymore. There are people who tell me I can call them and talk to them, but it isn’t the same," he said.
"Everything. My dad isn’t here for my mom and that is my biggest concern. I can’t talk to my father anymore. There are people who tell me I can call them and talk to them, but it isn’t the same," he said.
As he cried on the stand, Ogburn Jr. said his father was a role model to many.
"Part of my heart is gone."
Lt. Kevin Harris testified about his injuries and that he would never go back on the street to patrol.
"Part of my heart is gone."
Lt. Kevin Harris testified about his injuries and that he would never go back on the street to patrol.
He has been working in the jail since returning to work after months of surgery and physical therapy.
"Not having Tony in my life is a devastating factor and something I think about every day and dream about every night," he said.
Harris said he thinks about the shooting every day.
"I wish I could have been a better cop and that this wouldn’t have happened," he said.
Bennett asked Harris if there was anything he could have done to prevent Mays from killing Ogburn and Habelt.
"No."
Deputy Billy Jack Valentine said he learned a lot of professionalism from Ogburn and that he was a man of integrity and one who would think on questions and come up with the best possible answers.
"I looked up to him and wanted to be like him," he said. "We always knew he was right there with us."
Bennett asked Valentine if he could tell the jury what he was thinking when he was pinned up against the house.
"I tried to take my cell phone out and leave a message for my wife and kids that I wasn’t coming home. I made my peace with God.
He said a recent hunting trip with his son brought back memories saying when his son fired his 30-06 that he just didn’t want to be around rifles anymore.
"I hold my friends a lot closer now. There are times I don’t want to even come to work now but I do because they are my family," he said.
He said it was difficult to be cordial to people when responding to a call.
"I tried to be cordial, I tried to be nice but it just didn’t help," he said. "They gave their lives to get me out. I feel responsible that they died because they were trying to get me out. I know I would have done the same for them, but you can’t get the what ifs out of your mind."
Judge Carter Tarrance recessed the jury until Monday when the defense will begin putting on witnesses in an attempt to spare Mays from the death penalty.
"Not having Tony in my life is a devastating factor and something I think about every day and dream about every night," he said.
Harris said he thinks about the shooting every day.
"I wish I could have been a better cop and that this wouldn’t have happened," he said.
Bennett asked Harris if there was anything he could have done to prevent Mays from killing Ogburn and Habelt.
"No."
Deputy Billy Jack Valentine said he learned a lot of professionalism from Ogburn and that he was a man of integrity and one who would think on questions and come up with the best possible answers.
"I looked up to him and wanted to be like him," he said. "We always knew he was right there with us."
Bennett asked Valentine if he could tell the jury what he was thinking when he was pinned up against the house.
"I tried to take my cell phone out and leave a message for my wife and kids that I wasn’t coming home. I made my peace with God.
He said a recent hunting trip with his son brought back memories saying when his son fired his 30-06 that he just didn’t want to be around rifles anymore.
"I hold my friends a lot closer now. There are times I don’t want to even come to work now but I do because they are my family," he said.
He said it was difficult to be cordial to people when responding to a call.
"I tried to be cordial, I tried to be nice but it just didn’t help," he said. "They gave their lives to get me out. I feel responsible that they died because they were trying to get me out. I know I would have done the same for them, but you can’t get the what ifs out of your mind."
Judge Carter Tarrance recessed the jury until Monday when the defense will begin putting on witnesses in an attempt to spare Mays from the death penalty.
FAQ
Search Forums
Log in
Register
