Dillard Found Guilty

With no evidence ever presented that Jamie Farley had a gun, or any other weapon, on the night of his death in his confrontation with Eric Dillard, 31, of 906 Commerce, Dillard was found guilty of all charges.

After nearly two weeks of testimony the jury in the Dillard trial returned a verdict of guilty, guilty of murder, guilty of a crime with a gun specification and guilty of possessing a weapon under disability. Dillard was indicted last year on all three charges involving the shooting of Jamie Farley, 35, of East Liverpool, outside his residence on Commerce Street on April 22, 2008, over a clothing business partnership that went south. The business was on Main Street where the old Russell's Mini-Mart used to be located. The possessing a weapon under disability stems from a prior felony Dillard had for drug dealing.

Dillard claimed self defense and was released on a $250,000 bail with electronic monitoring which allowed him to remain at home while awaiting trial. That trial began May 5 and ended yesterday with Judge Ashley Pike reading the verdict at 11:45 A.M. The jury got the case this past Thursday and deliberated Thursday afternoon and returned yesterday morning to wrap things up.

Following the verdict the judge revoked the bail and sent Dillard to the County Jail to await sentencing which has been scheduled for 10 A.M. June 29. Dillard has the right to appeal and his attorneys were quoted in the papers as saying they would help in that but are suggesting that he obtain appellate counsel for that.

Dillard was offered a seven year plea bargain prior to going to trial which was turned down. Now he faces anywhere from 18 to 23 years to life in prison if no appeal is filed. In retrospect you have to wonder what the defense thoughts are on that offer now. It will take years for an appeal to make its way through the courts.

To be honest I was doubtful if Dillard would be found guilty on the murder charge. I did think he would get something for the gun charges and as stated a long time ago no one can take the law into their own hands. This whole tragic affair could have been avoided if Dillard had picked up the phone and called the police a year ago in April. Possibly one man would still be alive and the other would not be sitting in jail wondering when he will ever get back to the ville.

Some decisions one makes in life can be haunting...

ole nib