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Student murder trial begins |
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Tuesday, 15 April 2008 |
 | Sargeant
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by JAMISON DORAN
News Editor
The second trial in the murder of Appalachian State University student Stephen W. Harrington began yesterday.
Neil Matthew Sargeant, 26, has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and burning of personal property.
Sargeant’s trial is a capital one and he may face the death penalty or life without parole if he is convicted.
Jury selection took place last week and the trial is scheduled to last two to three weeks.
Yesterday the prosecution and the defense gave opening statements and the prosecution began
presenting its case.
Harrington’s body was found at 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2005. He was found in the trunk of his own car
with his arms bound behind his back and his face wrapped in duct tape. His body was set on fire.
The medical examiner determined Harrington died of asphyxiation.
One person has already stood trial for the murder of Harrington and another will stand trial later this
year.
Kyle Quentin Triplett, 23, stood trial last September and ended up pleading guilty to second-degree
murder, first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, burning of personal property, and
conspiracy with Sargeant to sell and/or deliver a schedule II controlled substance.
Triplett was sentenced to 40 years in prison with the possibility of parole.
Matthew Brandon Dalrymple, 22, already agreed to testify against Triplett and Sargeant if the death
penalty was taken off the table for his trial. Dalrymple will stand trial later this year.
Once the prosecution and defense present their case, it will go to the jury. If the jury sends back a
guilty verdict, the prosecution and the defense will be able to present on several other factors before
the jury decides on the sentence.
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