HEATHER CATTERTON - 17 yo -(2009) Clover/Gastonia NC

Updated 11/14/2011 05:33 PM
Character witnesses plea for Hembree's life to be spared
By: Kate Gaier

GASTONIA, N.C. – Jurors heard from family and friends of convicted killer Danny Hembree on Monday as testimony continued in the sentencing phase of his murder trial. The testimony came after a judge denied the defense's latest motion to have the verdict thrown out.

Defense attorneys argued that jurors overheard the family of the victim, 17-year-old Heather Catterton, talking, possibly causing them to be unfair and impartial. Hembree was convicted of killing Catterton last week and could face the death penalty.

During testimony, jurors heard about another side of Hembree. Not the cold-blooded killer they saw in the videotaped confessions but one who had some problems – an abusive father and a battle with addiction.

The defense called neighbors, long-time friends and family, who argued that Hembree should be spared from the death penalty and sentenced to life in prison.

“I've never had any problem out of Danny. Right now, at this very minute, he could come into my house and have coffee, just me and him. I don't have a problem with Danny," neighbor Linda Owens said.

"He's the type of guy who would actually give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was always good to me," Richard Owens told jurors.

Jurors also heard from Hembree's ex wife, who called him an addict and said he was a different person when he was in prison versus when he was out.

The defense is expected to call a few more witnesses before wrapping up its case.

The state called witnesses last week who said they were scared for their lives when Hembree robbed them at gunpoint, However jurors found out Monday that the weapon in that case was a toy gun.

http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/649549/character-witnesses-plea-for-hembree-s-life-to-be-spared

12:05 PM
Defense rests in sentencing hearing in Danny Hembree murder trial
By: News 14 Carolina Web Staff

GASTONIA -- The defense rested its case in the sentencing hearing for convicted killer Danny Hembree Tuesday. It was an emotional morning of testimony as Hembree's 25-year-old son and his younger sister took the stand. Both say they still love him and broke down while talking about their relationships with him.

Hembree's son says his father guided him from prison, writing letters urging the young man to straighten out his life. Hembree's sister shared stories about how her brother was continuously beaten by their father and how he says he was molested by a cousin when he was 5.

Jurors will now decide between the death penalty or life in prison.

http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/649602/defense-rests-in-sentencing-hearing-in-danny-hembree-murder-trial

11/16/2011 05:17 PM
Jurors begin deliberating sentence for convicted killer Danny Hembree
By: Kate Gaier

CHARLOTTE -- Jurors briefly started deliberating in the sentencing phase of Danny Hembree's murder trial Wednesday. He was convicted last week of killing 17-year old Heather Catterton and now faces a possible death sentence.

It's been seven long weeks at trial but this is the most important time for Hembree as his life hangs in the balance. Wednesday both the state and defense argued for hours over life or death.

District Attorney Locke Bell delivered closing arguments for the state, rehashing the murder of Catterton.

"She is fighting a man much bigger, stronger, who has got her and she is fighting," he said.

Bell told the jury Catterton's murder was heinous and cruel. He said Hembree had no remorse and even enjoyed suffocating the teenager. The state says Hembree's actions can't be attributed to mental illness or addiction.

The defense had the last word, reminding the jury of the same thing the state just told them to disregard.

"It's the decisions of a chaotic mind," said defense attorney Rick Beam.

They also talked about the other side to the convicted killer, the brother and struggling father,
and said a death sentence can't undo Hembree's actions.

"Killing Danny Hembree will not bring back Heather Catterton," said attorney Brent Ratchford. "Two deaths won't make a right."

The defense says it wasn't trying to justify or make excuses for Hembree, but was trying to explain why his brain made the decision to murder the teenager.

The jury will continue deliberations Thursday.

http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/649669/jurors-begin-deliberating-sentence-for-convicted-killer-danny-hembree

A jury sentenced Danny Hembree to death Friday for the murder of 17-year-old Heather Catterton.
Hembree responded by reciting four verses of a Johnny Cash song.

Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday afternoon in Danny Hembree's sentencing hearing.

Gaston County Prosecutor Locke Bell says Hembree is "deserving of the death penalty" and "killed with his bare hands."

Bell also said Hembree has shown that he doesn't care about society.

Defense attorney claims Hembree suffered from mental illnesses and years of mental and physical abuse.

The jury will begin deliberating Thursday morning.

The family of a convicted killer took the
stand Tuesday during sentencing to talk about his troubled past and save
him from getting the death penalty.

Both sides rested their cases late Tuesday morning and the jury was sent home.

Before they rested, the sister and son of
49-year-old Danny Hembree spoke to the jury. His sister told the jury
that she became a psychiatric nurse so that she could help understand
Danny.

She told the jury that Hembree and his brother were beaten by his father as a child, with a belt.

"They would have to lean over the bed, he
would spank them. He thought he was doing what was right, " said Kathy
Ledbetter, Hembree's sister.

Prosecutors pointed out Hembree was spanked because he misbehaved.

Ledbetter also said Hembree told her once he'd been forced to perform oral on a male cousin at age five.

Hembree was found guilty of first degree murder last week in the death of Heather Catterton after a four-hour jury deliberation.

His 25-year-old son told the jury that he loves his father even though he spent most of his son's childhood behind bars.

"I think I have a wonderful relationship with
my father, I love him and I know that he loves me," said Danny Hembree,
III, Hembree's son.

Last Thursday, Hembree asked for a new trial
during stating that his attorneys were ineffective. He requested that
the guilty verdict be thrown out and he be given a new trial.

Hembree claims his attorneys failed to review and provide him with documents that could help his case.

"I don't have confidence in my counsel, I
don't have confidence in the State, I might be put on death row now
because they didn't have enough time, I didn't get the documents," said
Hembree.

Judge Beverly Beal denied his request.

The defense is hoping to keep Hembree from getting the death penalty.
http://www.wbtv.com/story/16076959/jury-has-reached-a-verdict-the-danny-hembree-case#.TsbCYUtwNzw.facebook

Murderer: 'Kill me if you can suckers'

By Graham Winch
updated 12:03 PM EST, Thu January 26, 2012

NEED TO KNOW

• Danny Hembree was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in November
  
• Hembree wrote a letter to a local newspaper mocking the justice system
  

Being convicted of murder and sentenced to death isn’t stopping Danny Hembree from poking fun of the justice system, reports WCNC.

In a letter to his hometown newspaper in Gastonia, North Carolina, The Gaston Gazette, Hembree writes, "Kill me if you can suckers. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

A
jury found Hembree guilty of killing 17-year-old Heather Catterton in
2009, and he was sentenced to death on November 18, 2011.

Hembree
requested that his letter be published in the newspaper as an opinion
article critiquing the appeal system that he says will keep him alive
for decades.

"Is the public aware that the chances of my lawful
murder taking place in the next 20 years, if ever, are very slim,"
writes Hembree.


Most people probably think death row is scary place, but Hembree says it’s not so bad.

"Is
the public aware that I am a gentleman of leisure, watching color TV in
the A/C, reading, taking naps at will, eating three well-balanced meals
a day," writes Hembree.

WCNC spoke with Nick Catterton, Heather’s father, about his reaction to Hembree’s letter.

"I think he is probably one of the most inhumane people I know walking the earth right now," Catterton said.

My my, his character witnesses lied. Imagine that.

What a monster. I can't wait for Danny Hembree to meet his maker. We'll see if he's laughing then.