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
It is very good news!
I'm glad they are going ahead with the penalty phase, too.
And, it's very good to see YOU! ;o)
And you think it was MICHAEL who went to the door? And WITHOUT a gun? Is this the first you've read of this case, or what?
Great to see you, too, dc. Do we have a troll here? Something smells.
"Something smells"
I'd say your sniffer is working very well.
no have been following all along, just seems to me strange that they are saying now this happened around 3 am just dosent seem to me that michael would have gone to the door with out some concern at this time of night. since not only a week before he had went to that parole hearing.and all the fuss about the white van and now nothing said about it.sorry but i did not mean to offend anyone.but seems like somthing is not adding up, what about when during the early part of this investigatio did all the law,local state fed, tear out and go to rolling fork ms and arrest that guy thier with all those stolen guns?
all the fuss about the white van and now nothing
Did anybody driving a white van confess
2 times to LE, take LE to the bodies and have his
ex wife testify that he told her he did it?
December 5, 2005
Hargon relatives testify about effect of deaths
# Psychologist speaks of convicted murderer's use of crystal meth
What's next
Deliberations begin today in Yazoo County Circuit Court after closing arguments from attorneys.
YAZOO CITY — Will Alexander became quiet when the prosecutor inquired about his family Sunday during the sentencing phase of the Earnest Lee Hargon capital murder trial.
"Do you have any children?" District Attorney James Powell asked.
"I do," Alexander replied, and after a long pause, said, "I have a 9-month-old son."
Powell asked how Earnest Lee Hargon — who was convicted of killing Alexander's cousin, his cousin's wife and the couple's 4-year-old son, James Patrick Hargon — affected the relationship with his own child.
Alexander said it becomes insufferable mostly at night, when he bathes his son.
"When I stick my hand up to grab his throat to keep him from going under the water, I picture Earnest Lee with his hands around James Patrick Hargon," he said, his voice wavering.
"I have fun with my son, but it's not the fun that I know I should be having."
Earnest Lee Hargon
Earnest Lee Hargon was convicted of using a gun and strangulation to kill his cousin, Michael Hargon, his wife, Rebecca Hargon and their son. The bodies were found buried in a wooded area.
For the two charges against him involving capital murder, jurors must decide whether he will receive the death penalty or spend his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Relatives testified that Earnest Lee Hargon's crime also left them with depression, panic attacks and an inability to trust others.
Defense witnesses described him as an intelligent and talented cowboy who took an unfortunate turn after he began abusing crystal methamphetamine to get him through hauling cattle over long distances.
Criss Lott, a clinical and forensic psychologist who evaluated Earnest Lee Hargon, said his biological father was abusive and violent, according to his aunt. His adoptive father, Charles Hargon, was an alcoholic and also abusive. Those who knew Earnest Lee Hargon said he did not have a history of aggressive or violent behavior. He did, however, have long-standing resentment toward some family members, although he was generally controlled, Lott said.
It was when he began the truck-driving business that things began to change, he said. "He was using a potent form of methamphetamine called 'ice' and it's a very addictive substance." Earnest Lee Hargon of Taylorsville was using the drug almost on a daily basis and up until the murders, he said.
"This substance has potential to incite or aggravate or cause an individual to become potentially violent, very aggressive. Enough of this substance, methamphetamine, can cause paranoia, psychosis."
Other defense witnesses recalled Earnest Lee Hargon's likable side.
"He was a cowboy in the true sense of the word," said Harold Parker, of Sumrall, who also worked with cattle and employed Earnest Lee Hargon for a few years. "He was extremely talented, probably about as talented of a cowboy I've ever had."
Patricia Walden of Jackson, a cousin of Earnest Lee Hargon who has been visiting him in jail, said she felt compelled to see him because "there was no one else in the family to extend love to Earnest Lee."
"Is he still your cousin?" defense attorney Andre de Gruy asked.
"Yes, he's family," she said.
But Linda Hirtz told jurors of the loss she suffered, recalling how her daughter Rebecca was born in 1975 on the living room floor, delivered by her father, at six pounds and 17 inches. She was a physical therapy assistant who grew to have a "big belly laugh."
Hirtz said she is against the death penalty, but Earnest Lee Hargon should still suffer like her family has suffered.
"He should experience many years of terror, the same terror that James Patrick felt when he saw his mother die. He should be humiliated, he should be alienated, he should be fearful. He should experience our loneliness and our depression," she said.
The slayings left Jennifer Hargon-McBride, 25, Michael Hargon's sister, with no immediate family besides her own three children. Michael had been her only sibling; their father was murdered in 1994, and their mother died three weeks ago of colon cancer.
The murders, she said, contributed to her mother's death. Diane Hargon had been in remission but still in the middle of chemotherapy treatments, Hargon-McBride said.
But when she arrived for chemotherapy after her son and his family disappeared in February 2004, doctors told her the treatment was too much for her. Her body had been overwhelmed by stress and it was struggling to heal.
They stopped the treatment, the cancer spread to her lungs and she died last month.
She told her daughter she wanted to see Earnest Lee Hargon put to death. "She couldn't handle what happened either way. It's all she thought about. It consumed her, she lost everything," Hargon-McBride said.
"All she wanted was Earnest Lee to die because he took away everything she had
So, his attorneys did call character witnesses. He can't come back with an appeal on that.
Go here and and hear his lawyer say
ELH is a "good man"
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=4198151
Blah, won't load on my slooooow dial up so will get to it later at work.
Y'all have a good day!
Awful, awful, awful. So much suffering for such a young lady.
Jurors deliberate Hargon's fate
YAZOO CITY — Jurors are deliberating whether Earnest Lee Hargon will spend the rest of his life in prison or die.
Deliberations began this morning following closing arguments and jury instructions.
Hargon was found guilty Saturday in the February 2004 triple slaying of his cousin Michael Hargon, Michael Hargon's wife Rebecca, and their 4-year-old son, James Patrick Hargon.
In arguing against the death sentence, defense attorney Wesley Evans said the only reason for imposing this penalty is vengeance or retribution.
"You may feel good for a little while, but that feeling goes away and you are left with the thought of taking a human life," he said.
Life imprisonment is harsh enough, he said. Hargon could be subjected to all types of cruelty, including sodomy, he said.
Prosecutors, on the other hand, argued that life behind bars may not be so bad, noting that there is a "hierarchical system" in place where inmates can receive rewards.
"He could be doing some of the same things in prison he loved doing as a free man," said District Attorney James Powell.
For example, Powell said, Parchman has an annual rodeo. "Earnest Lee Hargon could very well be leading that rodeo."
Earnest Lee Hargon was convicted of using a gun and strangulation to kill Michael Hargon, Rebecca Hargon and their son. Their bodies were found 17 days later in a wooded area
Life imprisonment is harsh enough, he said. Hargon could be subjected to all types of cruelty, including sodomy, he said.
Huh?? So the defense wants the jury to think that subjecting Hargon to a life in prison enduring all it has to offer would be more harsh?? That's what they are trying to say right? I read "We know you all think revenge should be enacted up this guy and really, sharing a cell with bubba who happens to like white trash like him would be a much harsher punishment than death." What a twisted way to argue a case!!
Just heard on the radio
ELH sentenced to death.
Details soon
Jury sentences Hargon to death
YAZOO CITY — Earnest Lee Hargon should die for the strangulations of a mother and child in a Valentine's Day 2004 rampage that left three family members dead, a jury decided today.
Hargon received life in prison in the third slaying.
The jury returned the verdicts today, a few hours after hearing from prosecutors and lawyers for the former cattle truck driver.
Hargon, 45, was convicted Saturday in the murders of his cousin Michael Hargon, 27, Michael's wife, Rebecca, 29, and the couple's son, James Patrick, 4.
"I'm not going to be happy to see Earnest Lee Hargon suffer the death penalty, but he earned it," District Attorney James Powell said after Hargon, who showed little emotion as the verdicts were read, was taken from the Yazoo County courtroom.
The jury heard testimony Sunday in the penalty phase for the two capital murder convictions. He was convicted of a simple murder count in Michael Hargon's death.
Assistant District Attorney Wilton McNair told jurors today that Hargon should be executed because "these people weren't just killed, they were tortured."
Defense attorney Wesley Evans argued that a sentence of life in prison was more appropriate.
On Sunday, a number of family members testified about the impact the Feb. 14, 2004, killings at the victims' home in Vaughan had on them. The three bodies were found in a shallow grave nearly 100 miles away about three weeks later.
"For two years, we've spent our time being angry. That anger has been targeted at Earnest Lee," said Elizabeth Moore, Rebecca Hargon's sister, said after the sentencing. "Now, my time will be spent remembering Rebecca, Michael and James Patrick."
Barbara Samuell, a member of the jury panel that was picked in Marshall County to hear the case that had attracted national attention, said no other verdict could have been reached given the overwhelming evidence against Hargon.
"A crime like this is cut and dry. You just don't do this type of crime," Samuell said. "I'm a mother. I have children. It will stay with you the rest of your life."
She said the jury agreed voted for the death penalty in large part due to Hargon's confession to investigators.
"It was very direct and very matter of fact," she said of the confession. "I didn't feel any remorse in it."
Prosecutors said Earnest Lee Hargon killed the three because his adoptive father, Charles Hargon, had changed his will to remove Earnest as beneficiary and name the cousin, Michael Hargon, instead.
The defense said prosecutors ignored other possible suspects, including a gang that may have had a grudge against Michael Hargon for testifying against one of its members.
Andre de Gruy, one of Hargon's lawyers, said there was an automatic appeal in death penalty cases.
"I'm disappointed," de Gruy said of the verdict. "My client has just been sentenced to death."
Justice is almost done. Now it has to be finished. I hope it doesn't take ten years.
Good.
Prison rape should not be a part of imprisonment for any prisoner, any more than beatings, whippings or torture at the hands of other prisoners should be considered part of the punishment meted out by the state. These acts are separate crimes committed by fellow prisoners, and they should not be encouraged in any way.
This defense attorney's statement is very irresponsible, IMHO.
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