Posted on 02/29/2004 8:39:18 PM PST by WKB
Edited on 02/29/2004 10:18:55 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Thread # 2
ADDED PER REQUEST
TAYLORSVILLE, Miss. (AP) -- After two days of intensive searching, investigators say they've exhausted any hope of finding the missing Yazoo County family near the property of a relative suspected in the case.
"We've done everything we can do here," State Highway Patrol spokesman Warren Strain said. "We've exhausted all the information we have developed regarding this site and the buildings on it."
Investigators had been searching near the 160-acre property of Earnest Lee Hargon. Strain said Hargon will be arraigned Monday in Yazoo County on multiple felony charges. Hargon was charged Sunday in Smith County with a drug and firearms violation.
Hargon is a suspect in the disappearance of Michael and Rebecca Hargon and their 4-year-old son, James Patrick.
Strain said prosecutors in Yazoo County will continue with their case against Earnest Hargon.
"Not being able to locate the Hargon family will have zero effect on going forward with the charges," Strain said.
Strain said there was "a laundry list" of possible charges that could be filed in Yazoo County, but declined to specify any of them.
Authorities have not said whether they believe the family members are still alive. Blood and spent bullet casings were discovered at the family's home in Yazoo County. Investigators have not found a .22-caliber weapon that apparently was fired in the home.
Earnest Hargon, an adopted cousin of Michael Hargon, was named in a single charge of possession of methamphetamines while also in possession of a firearm. Hargon was carrying less than an ounce of the drug, authorities said Sunday. The firearm is an AR-15 assault rifle, which Strain said could be converted into an automatic weapon.
Strain said possible evidence was found Saturday at Hargon's property in Smith County but would not elaborate.
Investigators also have been checking a piece of land that Michael Hargon recently inherited from his uncle, Charles Hargon, to determine if it is linked to the disappearance, said Jennifer Hargon, Michael's sister. Earnest Hargon, Charles Hargon's adopted son, was not included in the will, she said.
Strain said the Madison County property is a consideration in the case, but not necessarily a motive.
"It could be a potential motive, but it's not the only one," Strain said, adding that other evidence collected in the searches has linked Hargon to the family's disappearance. He declined to elaborate.
Smith County Sheriff Charlie Crumpton said an arraignment for Hargon had not been set on the drug and weapons charge, but he said it would occur before Wednesday.
Earnest Hargon was being still being held in an undisclosed location.
No big developments emerged on Sunday, although Crumpton said significant progress had been made.
Several people were questioned but were not detained, Strain said.
Lisa Ainsworth, the wife of Earnest Hargon, has been questioned at least twice, Strain said. When asked whether she provided evidence against Earnest Hargon, Strain declined to comment.
Authorities closed off a county road on both sides of Leaf River Veterinary Services. The clinic is on Earnest Hargon's property and his wife works there as a veterinarian, Strain said.
The search area included the clinic, Earnest Hargon's residence, several other buildings and the banks of the nearby Leaf River, Strain said.
Earnest Hargon's brother-in-law, John Ainsworth, 24, described Hargon as an outgoing guy not capable of kidnapping a family. He said the investigation has been hard on his sister, Lisa Ainsworth, who has been happily married to Earnest Hargon for almost eight years.
"It's really a surprise," John Ainsworth said of the speculation of Earnest Hargon's possible involvement in the family's disappearance. "She (Lisa) is dealing with it. It's been pretty hard on her."
Taylorsville Mayor Ron Walker said Lisa Ainsworth, tends to the animals on his farm and he has met Earnest Hargon, who he called "quiet and cordial."
"Lisa is the vet in town. She and her family are well known," Walker said. "Her family is well-respected hardworking people. I'm sorry they're having to go through this."
Janette Brewer, 48, who teaches Earnest Hargon's 16-year-old son, said she is praying for the missing family," Brewer said. "We want them to be found hopefully alive."
Authorities Abandon Smith County Search
Taylorsville 02/29/04 Updated at 9:25pm
Charles' sister at one time had their family tree online, but now it's been taken off. No surprise there.
If his wife took any steps to conceal his crime or prevent his apprehension, it would seem like she could face some liability as an accessory after the fact. Have the authorities said anything that would make you think that they are considering prosecuting her too?
Oh, so it's the big bad jury that convicted him, not his own actions??? Un-freakin'-believable! And he wonders why lawyers have such a bad reputation.
Have the authorities said anything that would make you think that they are considering prosecuting her too?
No
At one point she said she "feared for her own life"
after she found out what he had done.
I think that is why she is getting break.
Didn't realize the jury would work through the weekend. Is this normal in MS?
I think because the jury is from North MS
and sequestered this a matter of money and time.
Yeah, whatever. Try explaining away the fact that ELH was so crazed he intentionally loaded his pistol and hid it in the back of his belt, and drove a couple hours in the middle of the night to confront Michael.
"Michael was defending himself, his home and his family from an armed aggressor at 3 o'clock in the morning," District Attorney James Powell said.
Hmm, ok, so it was 3 AM. We suspected, but this proves Benny was mistaken about which day he last saw Michael. Wonder who's taking care of Benny now? It's amazing how many people are being affected by this horror - a ripple effect.
ELH looks like he's put on some weight being relatively inactive behind bars. That surely can't be his wedding ring on his little finger?
Duh, silly me. Of course, you're right as always.
http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0403/03/ma01a.html
Earnest Lee Hargon was relaxed, working on his Corvette, the car authorities say he may have used to take the family from their home. "He was joking and carrying on like normal. That's the part I can't deal with, Glancy said. "For two weeks he was the normal person that I know."
There is sooo much in that one quote. Joking... normal... and "working" on the Corvette. That's what I can't fathom about Lisa. TWO WEEKS! She apparently was *normal* for two weeks as well. She's so very, very lucky LE is being so lenient with her.
Feared for her life from Hargon? Hmmmm.... maybe so.
However, according to the story you posted earlier, she knew that he murdered these people on the day he did it, and she made no effort to inform the authorities or leave her husband until after he was arrested, correct?
If all that is true, I don't think we or the authorities should be very sympathetic to her.
good points.
The authorities have probably made the right choice in choosing not to prosecute (or so far as I know...investigate) her.
However, I don't agree w/ your premise that she "had to live" with him, and I'm sort of surprised that the decision not to investigate her for accessory charges has not been criticized.
However, I don't agree w/ your premise that she "had to live" with him, and I'm sort of surprised that the decision not to investigate her for accessory charges has not been criticized
Well after all you are the Perry Mason and here I'm just the Paul Drake. :>)
"The defense rested without calling any witnesses."
Despite what ELH's attorney says, he had NO defense.
Otherwise, why didn't he call any witnesses to refute prior testimony?
I'm glad they are jumping right into the penalty phase.
I bet those jurors want to go home.
Plus, taking care of those jurors is costing a lot of money.
Ickwad...
LOL!
You go, Darla!
I like her sign. ;o)
what am i not getting here? michael goes to door at 3 in the morning,?? with out a gun? and then went out side at this time to get a will, white van? seems like we have not heard it all maybe we will not
DO you know something the Judge and jury
needs to know or just showing your ignorance?
Welcome to FR
Well, I am late getting here,as usual, but what GREAT news! Now hopefully on to the death penalty. I had no idea the trial was already over. But then he really had no defense to put up.
I am somewhat surprised they are letting the wife slide on this.....knowing about it for two weeks. However, I can also understand that she would fear for her life, and not only hers, but all her family, too, probably. It appears that he would stop at nothing.
The lawyer's comment about Earnest Lee being a "good man" and the jury convicting him of a terrible thing (however he worded it) was nauseating. I know they have to try to put up a defense for him, but calling him a "good man" is reprehensible.
I'm curious as to the reaction of people who live there to his wife, now. They all had such great things to say about her early on. And no doubt they were correct. But I just wonder if feelings have changed about her, or not.
Welcome to FR.
Did you sign up just to post that?
I see it's your one, and only, post.
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