Alabama - Man (Wesley Quick) Declared Innocent in New Trial & Freed from Death Row

[danielle]

Once convicted of murder, man acquitted in new trial

The Associated Press
4/22/03 1:30 AM


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Death Row inmate Wesley Quick was acquitted Monday of killing two men at an isolated creek in his third trial for the crimes.

Quick, who has been on Death Row for six years, was convicted in the 1995 deaths of John Hughes and Nathan King, who were gunned down at Turkey Creek in Jefferson County.

Quick's first trial was declared a mistrial because of juror misconduct. He was convicted in his second trial in 1997.

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals ordered a third trial in 2001, saying Quick was indigent and during his second trial the trial judge was wrong to deny him a free copy of the transcript from the first trial.

The third trial concluded Monday with Quick's acquittal.

Birmingham defense lawyer Charles Salvagio, who handled the case with Los Angeles lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr., said Quick, 26, should have never been on Death Row and that justice was done Monday because the "truth came out."

Mesereau, who is also representing actor Robert Blake in the 2001 killing of Blake's wife, and Salvagio did not represent Quick in his first two trials.

Mesereau said the defense's success at discrediting prosecution witnesses and new information introduced when Quick testified were the keys to getting the acquittal.

"I believe an innocent man was properly treated by the jury," said Mesereau.

Quick was accused of shooting the men in front of acquaintance Shellie Kitchen. Friend Jason Beninati and several other witnesses last week testified Quick had talked about wanting to kill people.

Quick previously testified he was high on drugs and couldn't remember the murders. But at his latest trial, Quick testified that Beninati killed the men and threatened that he would kill Kitchen if Quick told police.

"He had been threatened that if he spoke up, he would be killed," Mesereau said of his client.

But prosecutors argued Quick had no reason to fear Beninati because he had been out of the state since 1997 and Kitchen, who died last year of natural causes, was in jail from 1995 to 1997.

Beninati said Quick picked him up after the incident and two witnesses testified Beninati was not at the scene during the killings.

Defense lawyers argued that Beninati knew too much about the crime without being at the crime scene.

The acquittal shocked the victims' relatives.

King's sister, Monica Tidmore, said the jury "let a murderer go."

Quick still faces three burglary charges.

[Phil in Paris]

[deb]

Deb

[flygirlaa2]

Well, this is fantastic news. I am sending both these lawyers a quick note to tell them I appreciate the work they put in for this man. Here is their address if anyone else wishes to write.

Salvagio Charles Attorney At Law _
2242 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Tom Mesereau, Jr.
Collins, Mesereau, Reddock & Yu, LLP
3055 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90010

[softheart]

THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pamfabulous]

Quick is one of my closest and dearest friends. He has since been sentenced to 76 years for 3 non-violent burglaries committed when he was 18 years old. Alabama Judge Gloria Bahakel sentenced him to this because she is a vindictive, racist judge. Why is she a judge is she doesn't have faith in the jury's verdict? We is a kind caring person who has spent 8 years of his life incarcerated (4 on Death Row) for a crime 12 of his peers said he DID NOT committ. Please join our fight to bring Wes home and investigate this crooked judge.

We are going to scream until we are heard!!

www.wesquick.com

[KRIS_NC]

CONGRATS MR. QUICK I LOVE TO HEAR THE STORIES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND INNOCENT AND RELEASED

[David]

I'm very glad to hear about his acquittal but disturbed that the Judge handed down a BS sentence on the theft/gun related charges.. If that wasn't a revenge sentence, I don't know what is.

I'd like to direct you all to the link listed above, www.wesquick.com for more info.. I have invited the family and webmaster over here to share more info on this. pamfabulous, I'd like to hear more from you as well.

Thanks!
David (Fed-X)

[louise1120]

76 years for burglaries...thats not fair at all

[Babealicious]

Alabama Judge Gloria Bahakel sentenced him to this because she is a vindictive, racist judge.

How do you know it had anything to do with race? I've seen plenty of people get charges like that for similar crimes... mostly white folks though. I'm not sure what race Wes is.

Anyhow, I like hearing about innocent people getting freed from DR. It's just a shame he is still facing a harsh sentence.

[38special]

pamfabulous,
I'm curious about this case and its circumstances. Please PM me with some of the immediate circumstances concerning the nature of the crime. I know, Judge Bahakel personally and can possibly communicate with her. She is a very firm judge, but your anger should be focused on the prosecutor and jury that decided the issues before them. The judge passes sentence after the jury finds them guilty. Who was his lawyer during this/these trial(s)? What kind of representation did he receive during this/these trial(s)? How long ago was these offenses committed? My thoughts are incomplete with these questions, but I have a plan. Thank you for your response.

Monica,
Thank you for posting this narrative about a person receiving justice when justice is due. I know exactly where Turkey Creek is located for I have fished the creek as a child and other occasions with my children. How is Wayne? PM me with an update on your precious time together. I am glad that he is home and not incarcerated for X-mas.

I see alot of unanswered questions within this group of incidents. Please give me more on the subject from whatever source available. Thank you------38 Special