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FLINN MURDER TRIAL POSTPONED |
| (06/06/2006) |
| The murder trial of an Elizabeth man, Roger Dean Flinn, 45, was continued yesterday in Wirt County, waiting for further forensic tests. Flinn is accused of the shooting deaths of Russell Ray Eastham and Sylvia L. Fittro on April 1, 2005 along State Route 14 between Palestine and the Roane County line. Flinn's defense attorney has asked for a change of venue. The defense is asking for a continuance so DNA comparison tests can be made on the two victims, Flinn and Flinn's nephew, Daniel Neptune, 21, who was allegedly present at the shooting. Police were called to the murder scene after a driver disovered Eastham's body in a ditch along the highway. A trail of blood led authorities to a house where they found Fittro's body and a 10-month-old baby, who was not harmed. Neptune testified he was driving Flinn around while drinking when they went to the residence, looking for more beer and a place to hang out. Neptune told authorities he sold Flinn a handgun for $50, which was reportedly used as the murder weapon. After Flinn shot Eastham, Neptune said Flinn went through the house kicking in doors, discovering and shooting Fittro. Neptune, 21, and Joel Adam Robinson, 21, both Wirt County residents, were indicted in 2005 on charges of burglary and grand larceny for breaking into a camp and taking the gun which was used in the murder. Neptune pleaded guilty in to grand larceny charge in return for dismissal of a burglary charge. He was sentenced Feb. 21 to one to 10 years in prison, which was suspended for five years of probation. SEARCH earlier stories on the Herald |
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