Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Carlos Edward Kennedy - Alabama

  1. #1
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217

    Carlos Edward Kennedy - Alabama


    Zoa White



    Prosecutors charge man accused of killing Zoa White with capital murder

    MOBILE, Ala. -- The man accused of killing Zoa White in her Midtown Mobile home will be charged with capital murder, prosecutors said this morning.

    Carlos Edward Kennedy, 24, was arrested and booked into Mobile County Metro Jail early this morning. He is being held without bail.

    White, 69, was found bludgeoned to death on June 28 inside her two-story home on Spring Hill Avenue, where she lived alone.

    Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson Jr. said Kennedy is being charged with capital murder because the killing occurred in the midst of a burglary.

    Kennedy was previously arrested on an indecent exposure charge, and he was found not guilty by a judge in February, officials said.

    White was a former campaign worker for Gov. Bob Riley. Kennedy lived on Mobile Infirmary Drive, about two blocks away from White's house.

    "I don't believe she had any idea who he was," Tyson said this morning.

    He said the case was solved through "hard police work," and investigators didn't receive any anonymous tips.

    More details about the slaying will emerge in court proceedings, Tyson said.

    Jail records showed Kennedy is scheduled for a bail hearing Friday morning.

    Kennedy will face the death penalty or life in prison without parole if convicted.

    http://blog.al.com/live/2010/09/prosecutors_charge_man_accused.html

  2. #2
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Mobile police: Blood stains and fingerprints link Carlos Kennedy to Zoa White's slaying

    MOBILE, Alabama — A trail of blood stains found throughout Zoa White’s house match the DNA of a man now charged with capital murder in her slaying, a police detective testified today.

    White, 69, was found mostly nude and beaten to death in the kitchen of her Spring Hill Avenue house on June 28. A rear window was broken and the back door was found open, police said.

    Weeks later, Carlos Edward Kennedy was arrested and charged with capital murder in her death.

    Kennedy, 24, appeared in Mobile County District Court for a preliminary hearing today, in which Mobile homicide Detective Rusty Hardeman described what evidence investigators had discovered.

    Police were initially led to Kennedy after a palm print and a fingerprint inside the house matched Kennedy’s prints on file from a previous arrest, prosecutors said.

    Hardeman said blood samples were taken from across the house — such as a dining room mantle, a piece of clothing in an upstairs bedroom, a staircase, and a napkin found near White’s body.

    The samples were analyzed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and compared with a blood sample from Kennedy, Hardeman said, and the results were a match.

    Kennedy, who worked installing satellite TV, was interviewed by police, Hardeman testified. Kennedy initially said that he’d never been inside the two-story house.

    He lived in an apartment complex on Mobile Infirmary Boulevard, just off Spring Hill Avenue, less than a half-mile away from White’s house.

    Kennedy then told police that he “was walking by” one day when White asked him to move a box of lamps from the kitchen to an upstairs bathroom, according to Hardeman.

    But then, he changed his story again, Hardeman said. Kennedy claimed that he had a sexual relationship with White for a couple of weeks, he said.

    Prosecutors later said there was no evidence that Kennedy had been inside White’s house before that night.

    Kennedy had scars on the knuckles of his right hand, Hardeman said, and “he had no explanation for it.” Blood had been found on the broken window glass.

    White was severely beaten, the detective said, and it appeared that a claw hammer was used to strike her in the forehead.

    Several hammers taken from the house are being examined by forensic scientists for any evidence, he said.

    After hearing the detective’s testimony, District Judge Bob Sherling sent the case to be considered by a Mobile County grand jury.

    Defense attorney Bob Clark said Kennedy has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge. He did not comment on the detective’s testimony.

    White, formerly a real estate agent, worked on a campaign for Gov. Bob Riley and as special projects director for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

    Kennedy last year was arrested on an indecent exposure charge, and a municipal judge found him not guilty for lack of evidence, according to court records. A Mobile woman accused him of exposing himself inside her house while installing a satellite TV connection.

    Capital murder is punishable by life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

    http://blog.al.com/live/2010/10/mobi...tains_and.html

  3. #3
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Murder suspect wants to defend himself

    A man who could face the death penalty wants to represent himself in court. Carlos Kennedy has been charged with capital murder in the brutal killing of 69-year-old Zoa White.

    Thursday morning, he's expected to ask a judge if he can serve as his own lawyer in his murder trial.

    In June 2010, former Mobile realtor Zoa White was found murdered in her Midtown Mobile home, and a few months later, 25-year-old Carlos Kennedy was charged with the crime.

    Police found mounds of evidence to support their claim, and two of Kennedy’s attorneys think it’s a bad idea for him to represent himself.

    Sixty-nine-year-old Zoa White's death was brutal and gruesome. Police said her body was found partially nude, and she was beaten to death with a hammer.

    Police also found blood at the scene and on her body that linked the death to 25-year-old Carlos Kennedy.

    Police said his story never added up. He first claimed he didn't know her. He later said they were having consensual sex. In a preliminary hearing, his court-appointed attorney entered for him a not guilty plea by reason of insanity.

    However, FOX10 News has learned that Thursday morning, Kennedy will ask a judge if he can represent himself. His attorneys say he should think twice.

    "It's unusual," said attorney Bob Clark. "I can't imagine anybody volunteering to represent himself in a capital murder case."

    "No one is fit to represent himself in a capital murder because they become subjective rather than being objective," said attorney Habib Yazdi.

    Yazdi said Kennedy is legally allowed to represent himself, but a prudent judge would appoint an attorney to advise him in case he had questions.

    Both attorneys agree he would face a hefty task. They say capital murder is not a simple charge, and there's a mountain evidence being used against him.

    Clark said, "It just doesn't seem right to me that somebody that's charged with this serious of an offense would say, 'Oh, I don't need a laywer. I'll just take care of it myself.' It's difficult."

    Jury selection for his capital murder trial is set to begin sometime early next year.

    http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/loca...defend-himself

  4. #4
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Carlos Kennedy will represent himself in murder trial

    MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Carlos Kennedy is facing capital murder charges in the brutal death of a retired realtor. Zoa White was found dead in her Springhill Avenue home in the summer of 2010. She had been beaten to death.

    Thursday, Kennedy walked into a Mobile County courtroom and for the first time, the soft spoken capital murder suspect talked about the two years he spent at Ole Miss, the time he spent with his Dad installing satellite dishes, and how he wants to represent himself in court.

    “I feel confident I can do it myself,” said Kennedy.

    Judge Rusty Johnson told Kennedy he seemed to have above average intelligence and that his decision to represent himself could be suicide.

    If he's found guilty of killing Zoa White in her Springhill Avenue home, Kennedy could get the death penalty.

    "Do you want to win or just be executed?" Judge Johnston asked Kennedy.

    "I want to win, but I also want to save my reputation," Kennedy answered.

    Assistant District Attorney JoBeth Murphree said “with or without a lawyer, that's not likely to happen.”

    Based on the results of a mental evaluation which found Kennedy competent to stand trail, Judge Johnston is allowing him to serve as his own lawyer.

    However, he warned him it would be no easy task, especially since Kennedy is currently behind bars.

    “First of all, you need someone on the outside tracking down witnesses. You can’t do that from a jail cell,” said Johnston. “You have a lot to do in a little bit of time.”

    "The judge was very thorough and explained some disadvantages. He is obviously mentally competent, says he's been to Ole Miss for two years. He made that decision, and he has the right to,” said assistant district attorney Murphree.

    Before being taken back to Metro Jail, Kennedy asked the court for a copy of all the transcripts and wanted to know when he will get to see the evidence against him.

    Judge Johnston ordered transcripts of Kennedy's preliminary hearing, bond and other times he’s appeared in court be sent to Kennedy in the next sixty days. A list of evidence and the state’s discovery is also being sent to Kennedy.

    Kennedy has until March to change his mind about representing himself.

    http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/loca...n-murder-trial

  5. #5
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Attorney moves to dismiss capital murder indictment

    Capital murder suspect Carlos Kennedy appeared in Judge Joseph Johnston’s courtroom for a motion hearing Tuesday, April 30.

    Attorneys for the defendant filed a motion to dismiss the grand jury's capital murder indictment.

    FOX10 News spoke with one of Kennedy’s court appointed attorneys about the outcome.

    Defense attorney Jason Darley said everyone involved in Kennedy's case is keeping a tight lid on what information is released to the public.

    “Today was just a standard motion hearing, getting ready for trial coming up. Several of them were taken under submission,” said Attorney Jason Darley.

    Kennedy entered the courtroom and sat quietly with his attorneys. The lead detective took the stand and was interviewed by both sides of the case.

    Kennedy was arrested and charged with the murder of 69-year-old Zoa White in September 2010.

    “I am very happy we have come to some conclusion and closure, but it’s not over yet. We still have a long way to go but it's nice to one more off the streets,” said Laurie Miller, the daughter of White, in 2010.

    In 2011, Kennedy was found mentally competent and given permission to represent himself.

    “Judge was very thorough and explained some disadvantages, He is obviously mentally competent, says he's been to Ole Miss for two years. He made that decision, and he has the right to,” said Mobile County Assistant District Attorney Jo Beth Murphree in 2011.

    Judge Johnston appointed an attorney for Kennedy following testimony from a state forensics expert.

    If convicted, Kennedy faces up to life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

    Kennedy's trial begins Monday, May 6 with juror interviews and selection.

    http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/loca...der-indictment
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

  6. #6
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Jury selection begins for Zoa White murder trial

    Jury selection begins today in the capital murder trial of a man accused of murdering a well-known resident of Mobile's Spring Hill area.

    Carlos Kennedy is accused of murdering Zoa White after breaking into her home.

    Her body was found in her kitchen on the morning of June 28, 2010.

    Police said she was beaten to death in her home.

    White was 69-years-old and worked as an area real estate agent.

    Mobile County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and 100 potential jurors are expected to be called.

    http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/loca...e-murder-trial
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

  7. #7
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Live on Twitter: Follow the closing arguments in the Carlos Kennedy murder trial

    Closing arguments in the capital murder trial of a man accused in the brutal beating death of a retired Midtown Realtor begin this morning, and you can follow the proceedings in real time here and on Twitter.

    Carlos Edward Kennedy, 27, stands accused of capital murder. If convicted, jurors will consider his punishment in a separate penalty phase. At that time, prosecutors would put on evidence of aggravating factors that they believe warrants the death penalty. Kennedy’s lawyers would put on evidence in an attempt to convince jurors that their client’s life deserves to be spared.

    The jury would need at least 10 out of 12 votes to recommend the death penalty. Mobile County Circuit Judge Joseph “Rusty” Johnston would take that recommendation into account, but he would make the final determination at a later sentencing hearing.

    If the jury convicts Kennedy, he would get either life in prison without a possibility of parole or the death penalty.

    During three days of testimony, prosecutors have put on evidence that police found fingerprints and DNA inside the Spring Hill Avenue home of Zoa White that matched the defendant. Jurors also saw a video recording of Kennedy’s interrogation, in which he offered several different versions of his account.

    Against the advice of his lawyers, Kennedy too the witness stand Wednesday afternoon but said almost nothing about the allegations against him.

    http://blog.al.com/live/2013/05/live...w_the_clo.html
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

  8. #8
    Jan
    Guest
    Jury finds Carlos Kennedy guilty of capital murder in the 2010 bludgeoning death of Zoa White in Midtown.

    Defendant Carlos Kennedy is standing, hands in pockets, showing no emotion after hearing guilty verdict.

    Judge Johnston seems inclined to start the penalty phase right now. The state will start presenting its case in 15 minutes.

  9. #9
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Jury Recommends Death for Carlos Kennedy

    A Mobile County jury has recommended Carlos Kennedy be executed for the death of Zoa White.

    White was brutally beaten with a hammer in her Midtown Mobile home in 2010. A jury found Kennedy guilty of capital murder Thursday.

    The jury's decision is a recommendation. A judge will ultimately decide if Kennedy will die for the crime.

    The jury did have some questions during deliberations. They wanted all of the charges to be read to them again, they also wanted to know if Kennedy had a mental evaluation. They wanted to know why his parents didn't testify and if he had a chance to put witnesses on the stand during the penalty phase.

    The judge told jurors he did have a chance to put witnesses on the stand, but chose only to make a statement.

    http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/...KfSpEi0QQ.cspx
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

  10. #10
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    33,217
    Defense stays mute in Carlos Kennedy murder trial; Mobile County judge mulls death penalty

    Faced with a possible death sentence, convicted murderer Carlos Edward Kennedy and his lawyers offered not a word this afternoon.

    A Mobile County prosecutor did not say much more.

    Kennedy’s fate now is in the hands of Mobile County Circuit Judge Joseph “Rusty” Johnston, who said he would produce a written order and read it from the bench Aug. 8.

    A jury found Kennedy, 27, guilty last month of capital murder in the 2010 bludgeoning death of retired Realtor Zoa White and then voted 11-1 to recommend the death penalty.

    As he did during the penalty phase of the trial, Kennedy instructed his court-appointed lawyers not to present any arguments or testimony on his behalf this afternoon. Defense lawyer Art Powell said outside the courtroom that Kennedy’s instructions have been the same since he decided – against the strong advice of his attorneys – to testify at the trial.

    “We presented a defense until we were instructed to cease,” Powell said.

    In deciding whether Kennedy should be executed by lethal injection or spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of parole, Johnston must weigh “aggravating” against “mitigating” factors.

    Assistant District Attorney JoBeth Murphree offered just one today – that Kennedy committed the murder during a burglary.

    A defendant has great leeway to argue almost anything as a mitigating factor. But Kennedy made no argument at all.

    “It was a very unusual case,” Murphree told the judge. “It’s very difficult to even come up with one” possible mitigating factor.

    The only possibility, she said, is that the judge denied Kennedy’s request to represent himself at trial. She said she does not believe that constitutes a mitigating factor and argued that even if it does, it pales compared to the aggravating factor.

    Outside the courtroom, Murphree said she has never prosecuted a capital murder defendant who instructed lawyers to present no defense.

    Originally, Johnston was going to let Kennedy act as his own lawyer. But he changed his mind several months before the trial after expressing concerns about the defendant’s competence to do so. It looms as a possible appeal issue, but Murphree said she remains confident that the conviction will stand up.

    “I think the judge was on solid ground on that,” she said.

    White, 69, worked as special projects director for the Alabama Department of Community and Economic Affairs after helping Gov. Bob Riley win re-election in 2006. It was one of a number of jobs she held in state government during the administration, following a successful career in real estate.

    When she did not arrive on the morning of June 28, 2010, to pick up her grandson, he rode over to her house on his bicycle and found a back window smashed. A police officer later found White’s partially clothed body in the kitchen, according to testimony.

    Investigators linked Kennedy to the murder with blood, DNA and fingerprint evidence found inside White’s home on Spring Hill Avenue. Prosecutors argued that Kennedy broke into the house at about midnight and sexually assaulted her before bashing her head with a heavy object.

    http://blog.al.com/live/2013/06/defe..._carlos_k.html
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •