GUILTY TX - Kathy Blair, 53, Sidney, 85, & Billie Shelton, 83, Murdered, Austin, Dec 2014

[JusticeWillBeServed]

https://www.statesman.com/news/local/jury-still-deliberating-shawn-gant-benalcazar-capital-murder-trial/HhcWe7NyAtkPn1IQV0BMBP/

A single juror is holding up deliberations in the capital murder trial of the man accused of killing Austin music teacher Kathy Blair.

The disagreement has apparently gotten heated, as the nine women and three men in the jury were summoned into the courtroom Thursday afternoon by state District Judge David Crain and told to be respectful to one another.

 

[MicheleT]

Mistrial declared.
http://www.kvue.com/article/news/lo...-trial-of-shawn-gant-benalcazar/269-537643124

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

https://www.mystatesman.com/news/men-blame-each-other-deadly-burglaries-austin-2014/2GOPzCnpb7zrksSrsQSbZI/

On the first day of Parlin’s trial, his lawyers told the jury Gant-Benalcazar killed all three of them and that Parlin had no knowledge of his friend’s intentions when Parlin drove him to the victims’ homes to steal jewelry and other valuables. That claim contradicts sworn statements from Gant-Benalcazar, who testified at his trial last month that Parlin killed Blair while Gant-Benalcazar was napping in his car.

In opening statements Tuesday, prosecutor Andrea Austin said Parlin was vengeful after a work dispute with Blair’s landlord and was “bent on getting his fair shake in life.”

http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/trial-underway-for-man-accused-in-three-murders

Defense attorneys do not deny Parlin was at the crime scenes, but argue his partner did all of the killing. "It’s always been our belief that Shawn Gant Benalcazar acted on his own inside, went rogue, in his activities, Mr. Parlin had no idea what that man was going to do inside those homes. One of the things we saw in the first trial, that was so critical, was the confession tape by Shawn," said Defense attorney Keith Lauerman.

It is not known if Parlin's defense will introduce a controversial police interview used in the Benalcazar trial.

During his trial, last month, it was argued the confession was coerced, which lead to a mistrial. Benalcazar's lawyers are now preparing for an October re-trial.

 

[JerseyGirl]

A jury found Timothy Parlin guilty of five counts related to capital murder.

Parlin will receive an automatic life sentence when he is sentenced Wednesday.

Timothy Parlin guilty of capital murder in Blair and Shelton deaths

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Austin man convicted in deaths of elderly couple, choir teacher gets life sentence

Officials said on May 30 that Parlin was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Parlin was found guilty May 25 in the deaths of Austin choir teacher Kathy Blair and elderly couple Sidney and Billie Shelton.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

New evidence to be tested ahead of Shawn Gant-Benalcazar’s second trial

Potential DNA evidence that was not tested before Shawn Gant-Benalcazar’s first trial will be tested before his second trial, prosecutors informed state District Judge David Crain on Monday.

Nine hairs found in the hand of homicide victim Kathy Blair will be sent to University of North Texas’ forensic lab to be analyzed. The results of the testing are expected to be available ahead of Gant-Benalcazar’s trial, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 22.

 

[JerseyGirl]

After more than a week in court, viewing evidence and hearing witness testimony, the second jury to weigh the capital murder case for Shawn Gant-Benalcazar returned a guilty verdict.

Gant-Benalcazar, 34, killed Austin choir teacher, Kathy Blair, 53, in December 2014. The prosecution argued she was killed during a robbery attempt at her northwest Austin home. She was stabbed and strangled.

The guilty verdict comes with an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Man on trial for killing Austin choir teacher in 2014 found guilty