Westeen Seeks Specifics Of Accomplice To Murder Charge

Last updated Tuesday, August 19, 2008 6:47 PM CDT in News

By The Morning News

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    FAYETTEVILLE - A man charged with being an accomplice to the murder of a Fayetteville couple wants a more detailed explanation from prosecutors of what they allege he did to merit the charge.

    Jesse Westeen, 21, allegedly drove Gregory Christopher Decay to the apartment where Decay gunned down Kevin Barkley Jones and Kendall Rachell Rice, both 24, last year. Decay was convicted and sentenced to death.

    Westeen's attorney, Tim Buckley, filed a motion Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court asking for a bill of particulars.

    "Mr. Westeen specifically needs to know what act or acts the state alleges that he personally committed or omitted regarding the episode which resulted in the death of the victims and what he did or did not otherwise do," according to the motion.

    The felony information against Westeen says he drove "with the purpose of allowing a co-defendant to commit a crime," according to Buckley. He contends that description doesn't fall within the legal definition of being an accomplice to capital murder.

    During Decay's murder trial, Prosecutors said Westeen drove Decay to the apartment then waited around the corner while Decay went in and killed Jones and Rice. When Decay came out, Westeen drove them away.

    Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty against Westeen. He does face life in prison if convicted. Trial is set for Sept. 22.

    Reader Comments (5 comment(s))


    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

    samandlucy wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:27 AM:

    " Is he a bottom feeder because he wants to know what evidence the state is going to offer against his client? This is a pretty serious charge, wouldn't you want to know that everyone got it right? Tim is a straight up guy and a highly ethical attorney. Of course, I assume you believe that anyone charged with a crime shouldn't be entitled to an attorney or a defense. "

    spare me wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:02 PM:

    " He knows what evidence the state has! You bet it is a serious charge, two counts of accomplice to capital MURDER. Don't assume anything on what I believe, If it were left up to me this would have been over by now. If you have followed this case, and I'm sure you have, then you know the "games" have began. By the way Kevin Jones would have been 26, yesterday. I do think that everything will be done the correct way, and yes, Jesse Westeen is entitled to a defense. "

    samandlucy wrote on Aug 20, 2008 2:39 PM:

    " "I do think that everything will be done the correct way, and yes, Jesse Westeen is entitled to a defense."

    Then why are you so vehemently opposed to him asking the State to tell him exactly what they intend to introduce into evidence to prove the accomplice charge? "

    spare me wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:55 AM:

    " I have tried two times to respond to your comments, they keep removing my opinion. I can only assure you that Westeen's attorney's and Westeen know all of the evidence. Mr Buckley was at the last Murderer's trial,Gregory Decay, the one Jesse drove to kill Kendall and Kevin. Westeen knows what's on the table for him. If you are at Westeen's trial, you can see for yourself, how's that? "

    spare me wrote on Oct 12, 2008 2:54 PM:

    " samandlucy,
    He was guilty! What a sad thing to have to admit. What an even sadder thing for his parents, sister, and friends to have to hear him say! Four families that will never be the same. No amount of prision will ever change that! "


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