Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 10, 2006 8:20:02 GMT -5
Death penalty sought
Man charged in 2004 killings remains jailed; victim's mother hopes for swift justice.
BY JENNIFER MENSTER
Record Staff Writer
Saturday, September 9, 2006
NEWTON -- The district attorney’s office announced last week it will seek the death penalty if Derek Morris Colson is found guilty.
Colson, 39, of Asheville, is charged with the 2004 slayings of Betsy thingyens and Cynthia Lail. He’s also charged with the attempted murder of Beverly Linebarger. The women were attacked during a six-week span in March and April 2004.
Colson was arrested March 23. During arraignment on Sept. 5, Colson pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Geraldine thingyens says she supports the district attorney’s office’s decision to seek the death penalty. thingyens is the mother of the first victim, Betsy thingyens. Betsy was beaten to death. Her body was found March 3, 2004, north of Brookford, off U.S. 70, SE.
thingyens said she was raised to believe in the Old Testament tenet of an eye for an eye. She hopes justice comes quickly for her daughter.
“The bad thing is, people on death row wait 20 years fighting appeals while we take care of them,” thingyens said. “(If that’s the case), I’ll be 80. Where’s the justice in that?”
thingyens said she was thankful when Hickory police made an arrest in the 2004 beatings.
About two weeks after Betsy thingyens’ body was discovered, sheriff’s deputies started investigating the brutal beating of Beverly Linebarger. Linebarger was found beaten nearly to death March 25, 2004, off South Center Street.
Linebarger survived the attack, but authorities said she suffers permanent brain damage and doesn’t remember the attack.
Cynthia Lail was found beaten April 4, 2004, in southwest Hickory. She died four months later from her injuries.
“He showed no mercy with the other two women,” thingyens said. “He killed my daughter and left her laying like a piece of garbage.”
Despite a suspect arrest, thingyens does not have closure. Losing her daughter will always be with her, she said.
Colson remains in jail with no bond. He’ll appear in an administrative court meeting either Oct. 2 or Nov. 6.
jmenster@hickoryrecord.com | 322-4510 x5409 or 304-6916
This story can be found at: www.hickoryrecord.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=HDR/MGArticle/HDR_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190542462
Man charged in 2004 killings remains jailed; victim's mother hopes for swift justice.
BY JENNIFER MENSTER
Record Staff Writer
Saturday, September 9, 2006
NEWTON -- The district attorney’s office announced last week it will seek the death penalty if Derek Morris Colson is found guilty.
Colson, 39, of Asheville, is charged with the 2004 slayings of Betsy thingyens and Cynthia Lail. He’s also charged with the attempted murder of Beverly Linebarger. The women were attacked during a six-week span in March and April 2004.
Colson was arrested March 23. During arraignment on Sept. 5, Colson pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Geraldine thingyens says she supports the district attorney’s office’s decision to seek the death penalty. thingyens is the mother of the first victim, Betsy thingyens. Betsy was beaten to death. Her body was found March 3, 2004, north of Brookford, off U.S. 70, SE.
thingyens said she was raised to believe in the Old Testament tenet of an eye for an eye. She hopes justice comes quickly for her daughter.
“The bad thing is, people on death row wait 20 years fighting appeals while we take care of them,” thingyens said. “(If that’s the case), I’ll be 80. Where’s the justice in that?”
thingyens said she was thankful when Hickory police made an arrest in the 2004 beatings.
About two weeks after Betsy thingyens’ body was discovered, sheriff’s deputies started investigating the brutal beating of Beverly Linebarger. Linebarger was found beaten nearly to death March 25, 2004, off South Center Street.
Linebarger survived the attack, but authorities said she suffers permanent brain damage and doesn’t remember the attack.
Cynthia Lail was found beaten April 4, 2004, in southwest Hickory. She died four months later from her injuries.
“He showed no mercy with the other two women,” thingyens said. “He killed my daughter and left her laying like a piece of garbage.”
Despite a suspect arrest, thingyens does not have closure. Losing her daughter will always be with her, she said.
Colson remains in jail with no bond. He’ll appear in an administrative court meeting either Oct. 2 or Nov. 6.
jmenster@hickoryrecord.com | 322-4510 x5409 or 304-6916
This story can be found at: www.hickoryrecord.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=HDR/MGArticle/HDR_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190542462