Wednesday, Mar. 30, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Details on teen murder trial coming April 18By LEE WILLIAMS Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard in 19 days will unveil details regarding the murder trials of two teen girls are accused of killing an elderly couple who tried to put the breaks on their romantic relationship. The trials of accused teen killers, Holly Harvey and Sandy Ketchum, were originally scheduled during the March term in Fayette County. But due to extensive pre-trial coverage, the teens attorneys requested the trials be postponed and moved to a county outside of the metro Atlanta area. Ballard agreed not to fight that request. On April 18, I will announce when we are trying the case and where, Ballard said Monday. The press conference will be held at the Fayette County Sheriffs Department meeting room. The time of the event will be announced shortly, he added. Harvey and Ketchum, 15 and 16 respectively at the time of their arrests, each face two counts of malice murder, two counts of felony murder and one count of armed robbery in connection with the Aug. 2, 2004, stabbing deaths of Carl, 74, and Sarah Collier, 73, of Fayette County. Griffin Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Paschal English Jr. and Griffin Judicial Circuit Judge Johnnie Caldwell Jr. will preside. Harvey, the Colliers granddaughter allegedly lured her grandmother to her basement bedroom with the scent of burning marijuana. Armed with a knife, Ketchum allegedly lay in wait underneath Harveys bed, officials said. Mrs. Collier was stabbed more than 20 times. She was found at the foot of the basement stairs on her back. Mr. Collier was stabbed 15 times. He was found face down in the kitchen. After the killings, the girls allegedly grabbed their grandparents jewelry, keys, cell phone, and 2002 Chevy Silverado, changed out of bloody clothes at a home in Spalding County, then headed to Tybee Island. Ink-pen scribblings found on Harveys arm allegedly revealed the plot: Kill, Keys, Money and Jewelry. The teens were captured later in a house with boys they met on the beach. Jewelry, knives, the truck and other evidence also were allegedly found with the girls, authorities said. Attorney Lloyd Walker of Peachtree City will represent Ketchum. Peachtree City Attorney Judy Chidester will represent Harvey. Both teens, who will be tried separately and as adults, waived their arraignments and filed not-guilty pleas earlier this year. Ballard saw no need in fighting change of venue requests. It doesnt matter to me at all where they try this case, Ballard said. I think the evidence speaks for itself. I think any jurors will have no problem doing the right thing. Ballard spoke passionately about the murder cases that involved Mr. Collier, a former Fayette County school board member, and his wife. One citizen said she believes the teens did not fully comprehend their actions. If convicted, she believes the teens should get a lighter sentence. Ballard wants to deter others from committing similar acts, so he is ready to fight to ensure that justice is served. I can understand how somebody would have trouble wrapping their minds around whats happened here. It is unfathomable what happened. These are arguments that I suppose the girls lawyers can try to make, Ballard responded. For my part, Im not going to tolerate people treating our citizens that way and Im going to prosecute them with every ounce of energy that I have. |
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