Crime News: Suspect in dismemberment of Syracuse coed on trial
chest...@my-dejanews.com
By Noelle Barton
Daily Orange (Syracuse U.)
(U-WIRE) SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The trial of the man suspected of killing and
dismembering former Syracuse University sophomore April Gregory in May of
1996 is set to begin Oct. 1. The prosecution is prepared to present a
scenario of how Gregory's former boyfriend, Terrance Evans, killed her, even
though Evans maintains that her death was accidental, Onondaga County Senior
Assistant District Attorney Lisa Fletcher said.
"We don't believe everything in his statement," Fletcher said. "We think he
intended to kill her."
Gregory, 18, had been missing since May 24, 1996. At that time, she was
living in Sadler Hall and taking summer classes at SU in the School of
Information Studies. Gregory was not found until late November 1997 when
police discovered dismembered body parts -- later determined to have been
Gregory's -- hidden throughout Evans' home.
Syracuse Police charged Evans, a 32-year-old Syracuse resident, with
second-degree murder on Nov. 18, 1997, after he allegedly confessed to the
crime. Evans' statements led investigators to search his house at 227
McKinley Ave., where police found Gregory's decomposed body parts in the
basement, behind walls, in closets and in the attic of Evans' home. The
Gregorys, at the time, lived next door to Evans at 233 McKinley Ave.
Gregory was first suspected missing on the morning of May 25, 1996, when she
failed to show up for work at McDonald's restaurant, 713 S. Crouse Ave. Her
parents notified the Syracuse Police Department and the SU Department of
Public Safety of Gregory's disappearance on June 2, 1996, and police began to
investigate.
The university announced in July of the same year a $20,000 reward for
information leading to Gregory's whereabouts, and distributed a flyer with
her photograph. No one collected the reward and police turned up few leads.
The case drew national attention in September 1996, when NBC's "Unsolved
Mysteries" featured Gregory's disappearance.
Evans cooperated with police throughout their investigation, leading them to
places he and Gregory frequented such as Oakwood Cemetery and Thornden Park
in an attempt to find her.
But on Nov. 17, 1997, Evans told police he was prepared to tell them about
his involvement in Gregory's death and where they could find her body. In
cooperation with police, he spent three hours telling police how Gregory
died. If convicted, Evans could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life
in prison, or a minimum sentence of 15 years to life.
Motion denied
Evans spent the first week of June in pretrial hearings, during which he made
a motion to suppress all evidence in the case. His lawyers, Ralph Cognetti
and Tom Ryan, argued that police did not fully make Evans aware of his rights
in November, 1997, and several other times police questioned him.
Ryan said Evans gave the police a statement only after they had detained
Evans for several hours of questioning.
"We felt there was conflicting evidence in that area," said Ryan, referring
to how the statement was obtained.
But Judge William J. Burke, who is presiding over the case, denied Evans'
motion to suppress. Burke declared in a 28-page decision that the police
acted properly in collecting all statements and evidence in relation to
Evans.
" ... The Court would only note that it was Terrance Evans who spun a web of
deceit and misrepresentation while leading police to possible locations where
April Gregory's body might be found," Blake wrote in his denial. "In truth,
Terrance Evans was merely attempting to maintain a facade of innocence
knowing all the time where April Gregory was buried."
Also in Burke's denial of Evans motion to suppress, he cited part of Evans'
Nov. 17, 1997 alleged confession.
Evans told police: "I have been carrying this around for a long time and I
know that I made a mistake but I have to get on with my life. I fully
understand my rights ... I have not been threatened nor have I been promised
anything in return for making this statement."
Fletcher, the prosecuting attorney, said what followed in Evans' statement to
police was an explanation that Gregory's death was accidental. He told police
Gregory came to his house the night she disappeared because his parents were
not home. After the two argued, Evans allegedly struck Gregory, and she hit
her head on a stereo.
Evans told police he did not seek help though Gregory was bleeding profusely,
but discovered the next morning that she was dead.
It is not likely that Gregory fell down and died, Fletcher said.
"We just don't think that's the way it happened," she said. In addition to
the prosecution's theory of how Gregory died, Fletcher is prepared to call
about 20 witnesses to testify during the trial, including members of the
Gregory family.
The defense does not have an obligation to put anyone on the stand, but has
the option of calling Evans to testify in his own defense. The defense's
decision to call any witnesses or to place Evans on the stand will be made
during the trial, depending on how the prosecution's case is presented, Ryan
said.
"I expect that we'll do more in trial than just sit there and listen," she
said. "We certainly expect to vigorously defend the case on his behalf."
Evans' mother, Eloise Evans, said she has been asked by her son's attorneys
not to talk to reporters about the case. But she said her son, who is in jail
awaiting trial, has been working with his lawyers in preparation for the
upcoming proceedings.
"We're doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances," Eloise
Evans said.
In the meantime, the Gregorys are also preparing for the trial, Fletcher
said, adding that the family moved to a new home after April Gregory's
remains were discovered next door.
"They're ready, willing and able to testify and do what it takes to see that
justice is done," she said. "I can't imagine how it would feel to lose a
child, much less to lose one in this way."
© 1998 Daily Orange via U-WIRE
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