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Thread: Carlos Edward Kennedy - Alabama

  1. #11
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Carlos Kennedy Sentenced to Death

    A man convicted of killing a well-known real estate was sentenced Wednesday in Mobile courtroom.

    Carlos Kennedy was convicted of killing Zoa White in her midtown home two years ago. White was found dead in her home. Authorities say she was beat with a hammer and died.

    A jury recommended the death penalty for Kennedy.

    Wednesday afternoon a judge sentenced Kennedy to death by lethal injection. The judge says in the 16 years he has been on the bench, the photos of the crime are the worst he has ever seen.

    http://www.wkrg.com/story/23527113/c...n-white-murder
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  2. #12
    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Fool for a client? Carlos Kennedy may represent himself in murder trial after death penalty reversed

    Carlos Edward Kennedy, who was sentenced to death for raping and then beating a 69-year-old grandmother to death with a claw hammer in June 2010, has new life.

    The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the sentence of former Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Joseph "Rusty" Johnston on Friday, stating that he overstepped his judicial authority.

    "Accordingly, the totality of the circumstances in this case indicates that Kennedy knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to counsel and that the circuit court abused its discretion when it revoked Kennedy's right of self-representation and appointed counsel to him," the ruling states.

    Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich said she was waiting to hear if the Alabama Attorney General's office, which was unavailable for immediate comment, planned to appeal the ruling to the Alabama Supreme Court.

    If not, her office would retry the case in circuit court and Kennedy, who remains in custody, would represent himself, according to the ruling.

    "It was a horrific, horrific crime and he deserves the death penalty and we will stop at nothing to make sure he gets it," Rich said.

    Two years ago, Johnston sentenced Kennedy to death by lethal injection for the crime, stating that it was "unimaginable that a human being could have committed such an atrocity."

    In December 2011, Kennedy appeared without an attorney in Mobile County Circuit Court. He said he was "fine with defending myself," despite Johnston's objection that it was a "suicide mission" because it was a capital murder trial.

    Subsequently, Kennedy was allowed to take himself as a client, but the court denied his motion to appoint his nonlawyer sister,Verlisa, as co-counsel.

    Ten months later, Johnston reversed course and appointed Jason Darley and Art Powell as Kennedy's attorneys.

    "After dealing with [Kennedy] for 10 months it is the Court's opinion that [Kennedy] was either being deceptive, a good actor or has suffered mental deterioration while incarcerated," Johnston ruled. "[Kennedy] has no capacity to defend himself and has no idea what needs to be done in order to prepare for trial.

    "As this is a Capital Murder case in which forensics may be a critical factor, [Kennedy] is totally oblivious of what needs to be done regarding retaining experts, having samples tested, and preparing cross-examination. As to mitigation, if necessary, [Kennedy], once again seems to take the attitude that he will take care of that later."

    Nevertheless, Kennedy refused to cooperate with his attorneys, telling a judge that "...if I can't do it myself, then I don't want it done."

    But Rich claimed that Johnston, who retired from the bench in April, was "trying to do the right thing" by giving Kennedy adequate representation. She called it a "waste of judicial resources" to allow Kennedy to represent himself.

    Kennedy was convicted of attacking White inside her home. Police found blood with DNA matching Kennedy, along with a palm print and a fingerprint. Investigators also found seminal fluid during an autopsy of White, although it lacked sperm and, therefore, did not contain DNA.

    White had a successful real estate career before becoming active in politics. She volunteered on the gubernatorial campaign of Bob Riley and later joined his administration at the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

    http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index...._sentence.html

  3. #13
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Carlos Kennedy's capital murder retrial to be retried in Mobile County

    Carlos Edward Kennedy, whose death sentence for murdering and raping a 69-year-old grandmother in her own home was reversed, will finally get to represent himself in court.

    He is set to appear for a status hearing on Monday morning before Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Charles Graddick.

    Earlier this month, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the sentence of former Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Joseph "Rusty" Johnston, stating that he overstepped his judicial authority. The Alabama Attorney General's office, which declined to comment, did not appeal the ruling.

    So the case will return to Mobile County Circuit Court for retrial. Meanwhile, Kennedy remains behind bars.

    Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich said that she expects the trial to begin "very quickly."

    "The evidence is overwhelming," Rich said. "If the courts say that we have to give him his day in court to represent himself, we will do that and we think he will get the death penalty again."

    Rich said that the Alabama Attorney General's office contacted her about appealing the matter. The two offices agreed that it should be retried.

    "We decided that justice can be swift in this case," Rich said.

    In 2012, Johnston appointed an attorney to represent Kennedy in the capital case, against Kennedy's wishes.

    "After dealing with [Kennedy] for 10 months it is the Court's opinion that [Kennedy] was either being deceptive, a good actor or has suffered mental deterioration while incarcerated,"

    Johnston ruled. "[Kennedy] has no capacity to defend himself and has no idea what needs to be done in order to prepare for trial.

    "As this is a Capital Murder case in which forensics may be a critical factor, [Kennedy] is totally oblivious of what needs to be done regarding retaining experts, having samples tested, and preparing cross-examination. As to mitigation, if necessary, [Kennedy], once again seems to take the attitude that he will take care of that later."

    Johnston retired in April.

    Kennedy was sentenced to death in September 2013 after he was convicted when of raping and killing 69-year-old Zoa White inside her home in June 2010. Police found blood with DNA matching Kennedy, along with a palm print and a fingerprint.

    Investigators also found seminal fluid during an autopsy of White, although it lacked sperm and, therefore, did not contain DNA.

    White had a successful real estate career before becoming active in politics. She volunteered on the gubernatorial campaign of Bob Riley and later joined his administration at the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

    http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index....l#incart_river
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  4. #14
    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    'I don't trust court-appointed lawyers:' Mobile man to defend himself in death penalty case

    Ignoring a judge's sound advice, Carlos Edward Kennedy chose on Monday to represent himself in his capital murder retrial.

    "I don't trust court-appointed lawyers," Kennedy said, explaining his decision. "I don't trust them at all."

    The bizarre case returned to Mobile County Circuit Court earlier this month after the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the conviction of former Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Joseph "Rusty" Johnston.

    Ruling that Johnston overstepped his judicial authority, the criminal appeals court stated that the judge should have let Kennedy represent himself instead of appointing an attorney to him against his wishes. The retrial is set for April 18.

    In 2013, Kennedy was sentenced to death after he was convicted of raping and killing 69-year-old Zoa White inside her home in June 2010. Police found blood with DNA matching Kennedy, along with a palm print and a fingerprint.

    Laurie Miller, White's daughter, called the decision to "absolutely heartbreaking."

    "No family needs to go through this twice," Miller said. "It's a revictimization."

    Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Charles Graddick, who is overseeing the case, told Kennedy multiple times that he was making a bad decision. In Alabama, all court-appointed attorneys in death penalty cases must have a minimum of five years of legal experience in criminal matters.

    "Frankly, there are no advantages whatsoever with a layperson representing themselves," Graddick said. "Especially where a person was charged with an event that might cause them to lose their life."

    On multiple occasions, Graddick asked Kennedy if he was sure of his choice and warned him of the repercussions.

    "I think you're making a huge mistake," Graddick said.

    As a precaution, Graddick appointed Mobile attorney Jason Darley to assist Kennedy with any legal issues if so requested. But Darley can't file any motions in the case unless Kennedy tells Graddick first.

    "I don't agree with it, but it's your decision," Kennedy said.

    Near the end of the hearing, Graddick explained some basic court procedures to Kennedy so that he knew how to act when the trial begins.

    "I think it's going to be interesting to say the least," Graddick said.

    http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index....pointed_l.html

  5. #15
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Mobile man set to represent himself in capital murder case

    By Jared Boyd
    AL.com

    Carlos Kennedy, who was convicted of killing 69-year old Zoa White in 2010, will reappear in court this week, for the crime. This time, Kennedy will represent himself.

    Kennedy was convicted and sentenced to death by lethal injection for raping and murdering White with a claw hammer in her home on Springhill Avenue. His case has been handled as a capital murder because prosecutors say Kennedy committed the murder during the act of burglary.

    Former Judge Joseph "Rusty" Johnston ruled in the original case that Kennedy was unfit to act as his own lawyer.

    "After dealing with [Kennedy] for 10 months it is the Court's opinion that [Kennedy] was either being deceptive, a good actor or has suffered mental deterioration while incarcerated," Johnston ruled. "[Kennedy] has no capacity to defend himself and has no idea what needs to be done in order to prepare for trial."

    "As this is a Capital Murder case in which forensics may be a critical factor, [Kennedy] is totally oblivious of what needs to be done regarding retaining experts, having samples tested, and preparing cross-examination. As to mitigation, if necessary, [Kennedy], once again seems to take the attitude that he will take care of that later."

    The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the death penalty ruling in the case, stating that Kennedy, who had been uncooperative with lawyers, should be allowed an opportunity to represent himself.

    Investigators found blood, a fingerprint and a palm print at the scene that matched in White's home that Kennedy. An autopsy also revealed seminal fluid, but it did not include sperm, so that DNA could be used by prosecutors to match Kennedy.

    White worked in real estate and politics, serving as a administrator at the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs under former Governor Bob Riley.

    Judge Charles Graddick will preside over the case. A second defense attorney has been appointed to provide Kennedy with any assistance he many need in the judicial process, as well as serving as a liaison between the judge, prosecution and the defendant.

    "The evidence is overwhelming," District Attorney Ashley Rich told AL.com last year. "If the courts say that we have to give him his day in court to represent himself, we will do that and we think he will get the death penalty again."

    http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index....rt_river_index
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  6. #16
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Opening statements begin in Carlos Kennedy capital murder trial

    Opening statements began Tuesday in the second capital murder trial for Carlos Kennedy, the man previously convicted for murdering a 69-year-old grandmother.

    Kennedy is accused of murdering Zoa White. He chose to defend himself during trial.

    Tuesday morning, the prosecution gave opening statements and called four witnesses to the stand. Kennedy chose not to make an opening statement, and did not cross examine the prosecution's witnesses.

    http://local15tv.com/news/local/open...l-murder-trial
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

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

  7. #17
    Senior Member CnCP Legend Mike's Avatar
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    Mobile man convicted again after defending himself in capital murder retrial

    Carlos Kennedy has been found guilty again of the murder of Zoa White, after he was granted an opportunity to represent himself in a retrial that began in March.

    A jury returned a guilty verdict after closing statements wrapped up Thursday, the Mobile County District Attorney's office says.

    Kennedy was originally convicted of the crime in 2013 and sentenced to the death penalty.

    An appeals court ruled, however, that former Judge Rusty Johnston acted outside of his authority by deeming Kennedy unfit to represent himself in the trial.

    Police found 69-year old Zoa White in her home in Mobile on June 2010. She was bludgeoned to death in what appeared to be a claw hammer.

    Investigators located a fingerprint, hand print and blood at the scene that matched Kennedy.

    White was a retired real estate agent who had worked as an administrator for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs under former Governor Bob Riley.

    The sentencing phase of the trial begins Thursday afternoon.

    http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index....again_aft.html
    "There is a point in the history of a society when it becomes so pathologically soft and tender that among other things it sides even with those who harm it, criminals, and does this quite seriously and honestly. Punishing somehow seems unfair to it, and it is certain that imagining ‘punishment’ and ‘being supposed to punish’ hurts it, arouses fear in it." Friedrich Nietzsche

  8. #18
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
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    Mobile man convicted of killing woman with claw hammer sentenced to life without parole

    By Jared Boyd
    AL.com

    Carlos Kennedy, who represented himself in a retrial for capital murder, was sentenced to life without parole on Thursday. A jury found Kennedy guilty for the 2010 murder of 69-year old Zoa White.

    After the jury's recommendation for life without parole was issued Thursday, Judge Charles Graddick signed a court document accepting the jury's proposed sentence, court filings show.

    Kennedy was originally sentenced to death for the 2010 homicide, but wasgranted a chance to represent himself after an appeals court ruling in 2015.

    White, a retired real estate agent and administrator for former Governor Bob Riley, was found dead in her home in Mobile with injuries investigators say were inflicted with a claw hammer. A fingerprint, palm print and blood at the scene pointed investigators to Kennedy, who lived mere blocks away.

    http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index....rt_river_index
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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