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NewsFriday, August 24, 2007 4:06 PM CDT
Hallsville killings plea deal in works; hearing rescheduled
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CLINTON — Work is continuing on a plea agreement that could be finalized next month in the murder case against a Clinton man accused of killing a pregnant woman and her son.

Arthur Thomas “Tom” Massey, 38, faces three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child.

The victims, Katie Griffieth, 29, and 8-year-old Kendall Griffieth, were found stabbed to death in their Hallsville home in July 2006. The mother was about seven months pregnant at the time.

A case management hearing scheduled for Thursday was canceled and reset for Sept. 14.

The next hearing could last an hour, according to court dockets.

Another hearing was delayed last month after defense attorneys disclosed that they were negotiating a possible plea deal for Massey with prosecutors.

Details of the possible plea were not revealed by defense lawyers Jay Elmore, Joe Miller, John Hanlon and Richard Goff.

A Champaign doctor recently conducted a second psychiatric evaluation of Massey. Testing performed shortly after Massey’s arrest indicated the defendant was fit to stand trial.

The issue of Massey’s mental health was raised by the defense last year and likely will be discussed if a plea agreement is brought to court.

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Reader comments on this story - 2 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

precious,,and innocent wrote on Aug 26, 2007 11:41 PM:

" once again children suffer! Howcan someone who has children of there own even dream of killing a child or unborn child? The world has always been filled with people such as massey, but it seems as though more and more children r dying at the hands of unmortal unhumane individuals such as he. I sure hope between kindell and the hamm children watching over the good people left ,something can and will be done soon. Its sad when u see your little girl not wanting to attend school or be social because of fear that yet another playmate maybe a next victum. "

Clintonite wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:43 PM:

" I hope the plea includes throwing away the key after he is locked up for good! I swear, only in Dimwitt County!!! Not getting the death sentence after taking 3 innocent lives is bad enough, but getting any less that prison for the rest of his life would be ridiculous! "

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