Man in NM who killed 5 people in video shop robbery & was found guilty of 2 murders get Life sentence,escapes DP
Joe1orbit
Hello,
Here's an update on the case of 28 year old Shane Harrison, who, together
with his female partner in crime, slaughtered FIVE people in an apparent video
bstore robbery attempt that turned into a mass murder.
A few days ago, a jury found Shane guilty of TWO out of the 5 murders, but
acquitted him in the other 3 killings. I do appreciate the fact that the jury
chose to make this decision based upon the evidence presented. Did Shane kill
all FIVE people? The answer is almost certainly YES. But, prosecutors have a
burden of proof, and they must PROVE, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Shane
committed EACH of the 5 murders. Many juries, consisting of inferior humans,
would decide to return a guilty verdict on all FIVE killings, once they decided
he was guilty of one or two of the killings. So, I do appreciate the
thoughtfulness of this jury, in returning a split verdict.
Today, Shane received his sentence from the judge, and it's not very good
news. Shane will have to spend the rest of his life in prison. He will not be
eligible for parole at all. The only good news is that Shane escaped having a
legalized murder sentence handed down upon him, via the death penalty.
Shane sat quietly and did not speak or show any emotion at today's sentencing
hearing. Prosecutors are saying that they MIGHT RETRY Shane on the murder
charges in which the jury deadlocked. That is OUTRAGEOUS. Shane has been to
trial, been found guilty, and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in
prison. There is absolutely no justification for prosecutors RETRYING ANY
aspect of this case. Shane has every right to appeal his conviction, of course,
and his lawyer WILL do so. But prosecutors already have tried this case, and
they should be prohibited from retrying ANY aspect of it.
Take care, JOE
The following appears courtesy of today's Associated Press news wire:
Man sentenced to life for killing video clerk's grandparents
January 15, 1998
By Doug Johnson, Associated Press
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The man convicted of robbing a video store and killing
a couple was sentenced today to two consecutive life terms plus 198 years,
assuring he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
The sentence handed down by state District Judge Frank Allen Jr. came a day
after Shane Harrison escaped the death penalty.
Prosecutor Julie Altwies said it would be nearly 160 years before Harrison, 28,
would be eligible for parole.
Altwies, an assistant Bernalillo County district attorney, said she was very
satisfied with the sentencing, although she had asked for 44 more years.
"He is still going to spend the rest of his life behind bars,'' she said.
Prosecutors had said Harrison killed three clerks during a March 1996 robbery
of the Hollywood Video store in Albuquerque, then kidnapped George and Pauline
McDougall, took them into the nearby mountains and shot them to death. The
McDougalls had been waiting outside the store for their 19-year-old grandson,
Zachary Blacklock, to finish work and give him a ride home.
Esther Beckley, an accomplice, pleaded guilty and testified against Harrison.
On Monday, jurors convicted Harrison of robbery and of felony murder — murder
during the course of another crime — in the McDougalls' deaths. But they
deadlocked on convictions of murder in the deaths of Blacklock and the two
other clerks.
Jurors considering Harrison's fate deadlocked again Wednesday on whether
aggravating circumstances required for a death sentence applied. Jurors had
been told they could not impose the death penalty if they believed Harrison was
just an accomplice.
With the death penalty out of the picture, it fell to Allen to determine the
sentence.
The McDougalls' granddaughter Heather Partels spoke at the hearing and
addressed Harrison directly. She called him "a cruel, pathetic individual. I
can't find a worse word, scum. And I hope you burn in hell.''
Harrison did not speak at the sentencing hearing. Defense attorney Gary
Mitchell said, ''It was our turn to show respect and dignity to the families.''
Mitchell said he would appeal the convictions.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Jeff Romero said prosecutors may retry
Harrison on the charges on which the jury deadlocked.