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