Now that we have that understanding of the definition of second degree murder check this out. Jimmy Coleman's attorney Terry Alford disagrees with the severity of charges filed against Coleman as its written in the local newspaer. He says he is looking forward to "... giving people both sides of the story..." Alford states he understands the outcry of support for the victims and their families but, "to take that anger and hurt and turn it into a second-degree murder charge isn't right."
Coleman makes court appearance
Jimmy Coleman made his first appearance in Superior Court Tuesday alongside his attorney, Terry Alford of Spring Hope. Resident Superior Court Judge Milton F. Fitch Jr. said any motions filed in the case will be heard Nov. 27. Assistant District Attorney Charles Thomas indicated the trial will be set for sometime in January or February.
Coleman is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Amie Marie Sullivan, 25 and Tiara Nichole Whitley, 22, both of Wilson. Investigators allege Sullivan and Whitley were walking in the grass along Raleigh Road Parkway around 4:20 a.m. on June 6 when Coleman's vehicle struck and killed them.
Coleman, according to investigators, was intoxicated and possibly under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the incident. He was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of felony death by motor vehicle. He is still being held in the Wilson County Jail under a $100,000 secured bond.
Alford disagrees with the severity of charges filed against Coleman and says he is looking forward to "... giving people both sides of the story..." He said he understands the outcry of support for the victims and their families but, "to take that anger and hurt and turn it into a second-degree murder charge isn't right." Second-degree murder can carry a minimum sentence of 13 years to a maximum of 20 years in prison for each charge.
The Whitley family has stated in interviews the prosecution of Coleman isn't about revenge; it is about justice.
"I want everyone to know that I'm glad both girls are getting justice," said Lisa Whitley, Nichole's mother. "From the beginning I believed the charges should have been more. Neither of our families want revenge.
We just want justice for the loss of our daughters."
* Article written by Gina Childress Wilson Times Staff Writer/photo files
4 comments:
Thank you so much for supporting our families! We feel so blessed to have support of so many in the community. The prayers and well wishes helps have really helped us heal. This is a very hard time for all 3 families and I hope with Gods help we will all be able to heal and move past this horrible tragedy! Thank you again and God bless!!!
I will be anxious to hear the whole story. I have asked repeatedly why the girls were walking on the wrong side of Raleigh Road Parkway at 4:30 a.m. in the first place, but no one has been able to answer that yet. I really believe there is a lot more to the story than what's been publicized.
That is why his lawyer, Terry Alford, has said that things will come out in the trial. I have heard a lot of things and am not at liberty at this time to reveal but like Mr. Alford said, there are two sides to every story and Mr. Coleman will have his day in court. Terry Alford, his attorney, is a well respected lawyer from Spring Hope and usually practices in Rocky Mount where I know him from. Let us all pray for all three families that are suffering from this accident.
Yeah, I've been hearing the whole story hasn't come out yet too. Folks say they were all together right before it happened so its not like they didn't know him or he didn't know them...so if they were all together - what went wrong? Bizzare. I agree let us pray for the families.
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