East Texas

By ADRIENNE GRAHAM
Staff Writer

Though reactions were varied in Kilgore to the results of the KFC murder trial, many agreed they hope the end of the trial brings some closure for the victims' families.

On Monday afternoon, Romeo Pinkerton pleaded guilty to five counts of murder, each carrying a life sentence.

While some believed the plea bargain did not carry a heavy enough sentence, others felt it was a just punishment.

"I really believe he got what he needed. I think killing him (Pinkerton) wouldn't have solved anything," Jasmine Anderson-Hayes, a sophomore at Kilgore College said. "I'm just glad he will have a long time to think about what he did."

Sharon Shepherd, a math teacher at Kilgore College and a former teacher of 20-year-old victim Joey Johnson, said she was still trying to absorb all of the information.

"He (Joey) was such a nice young man. It was a real shock when it happened," she said. "The loss of five lives is so tragic. I just hope this brings justice around for the families."

A current student of Ms. Shepherd, Luketta Gholston, said she felt the sentence was not enough.

"There are people on death row who committed lesser crimes. The plea bargain was an easy way out for him," she said.

Kilgore College Police Officer Mike McClinton, who lived in Kilgore at the time of the murders, but was not yet an officer, said he was not surprised by the results of the trial.

"With the span of time it took (to bring him to trial), I did not think he would receive the death penalty," he said.

Many Kilgore residents also said they felt it was tragic that it took so long to try Pinkerton.

"It took them long enough. They should have done this years ago," Cindy Morris, an employee of the Shoe Dept. in Kilgore said.

"I lived here when it happened. The families should not have had to wait that long," she said.