A federal judge has vacated the death sentence of a Navy sailor in the slaying and dismemberment of a shipmate two decades ago in central Georgia.
Travis Clinton Hittson was sentenced to death in 1993 after the killing of Conway Utterbeck, who was beaten with a baseball bat and shot. The Telegraph reports that the two were on leave from their ship and staying in Warner Robins.
Another shipmate, Edward Vollmer, was also charged with murder but reached a plea bargain and was sentenced to life in prison.
U.S. Middle District Court Judge Marc Treadwell ruled that Vollmer was more culpable in the crime, and convinced Hittson to participate in it.
The state must hold a new sentencing hearing or agree to a lesser sentence, the judge ruled.
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:25:16 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:11:47 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:21:22 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. During an emotional sentencing hearing on Friday morning, Parson's mother told the court she still doesn't believe he is the shooter.
