Latasha Norman, 20, was found murdered after her ex-boyfriend led police to her body in the woods, which lay among debris and trash. The ex-boyfriend, Stanley Dwayne Cole of Greenville, MS, was interviewed by detectives Thursday [November 29, 2007], said Jackson Police Sgt. Jeffery Scott. She was last seen leaving classes at Jackson State University on November 13th [2007].
Norman had been allegedly attacked by Cole before her disappearance. Cole was charged with simple assault for allegedly hitting his ex, and Norman’s tires had been slashed with her license plate stolen. The disappearnce of Norman sparked candlelight vigils from classmates and an outpouring of support in Jackson.
(Update 2-26-10) Tuesday, February 23 saw justice done for LaTasha. After 2 1/2 hours of deliberation, a Hinds County, MS jury convicted Cole of murder, meaning that he will get an automatic life sentence. Hinds County Circuit Judge Swan Yerger denied a defense request for the option to convict the now 26 year old Cole on manslaughter charges, an option which would have exposed him to a maximum of 2 decades in prison.
During the trial, the fact that Norman was killed by Cole was never in dispute - only whether the killing qualified as manslaughter or murder. Now with the jury rendering a guilty verdict, may LaTasha finally rest in piece.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment