As of Friday, October 26, 2012
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Albany Herald
Brian White
ALBANY, Ga. -- A jury acquitted Brian Jeremy White of armed robbery and aggravated assault Friday, according to court officials.
White was accused of stealing a purse from Eric Hayes and shooting him in the left leg during the crime on Sept. 11, 2011. Defense attorney James Finkelstein and District Attorney Greg Edwards disagreed as to what brought the jury to the acquittal.
Finkelstein said the victim's cross-dressing lifestyle had nothing to do with the verdict. The contradictions in the victim's testimony led to the acquittal, he added.
As what he called just one example, Finkelstein said, "In initial testimony to police at the hospital, the victim said the suspect had his face partially covered." In later testimony, Finkelstein said, Hayes said White's face was not covered at all.
In another example noted by Finkelstein, Hayes testified White put a gun to his face. That is why Hayes handed over his purse. In an earlier video testimony, Hayes said the gun was taken out after the theft of the purse.
Finkelstein also called White's alibi solid. White's parents testified that he was at home with them.
Edwards said he thought that White's conventional parents contrasted enough with the appearance of Hayes on the stand testifying in women's clothes, pearl earrings and hairstyle to possibly make a difference.
"There was probably some jury nullification because of the victim's lifestyle," Edwards said. "Probably (the parents') credibility as perceived by the jury had something to do with it. That is, as opposed to the victim's lifestyle."
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- Prosecution to rest in Covin trial ( May 5, 2010 )
- Georgia Supreme Court to hear case ( September 13, 2012 )
- Accused gang member on trial for armed robbery ( May 4, 2010 )
Comments
Sister_Ruby 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Only in Albenny Gee Ayyy!!!!
RedEric 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Reminds me of Chablis from the movie "Midnight in the garden of good and evil". Obviously Hayes wasn't as charming as Chablis.
VSU 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Normally one would say this is another case of parents protecting their children by saying "He didn't do it, he's a good boy" but in this case if you are presenting a case that someone robbed you, you need to keep your story straight and consistant, otherwise it makes you appear to be lying and not telling the truth. based on these circimstances, I think the jury made the right call as their was definately reasonable doubt.
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