Saturday, October 21, 2006

Detectives search Greene's home for more clues in fatal fire

CONCORD - Deputies returned to Lisa Louise Greene's home this week, searching for evidence investigators can use to replicate a January fire that killed Greene's two children.
Greene, 41, of 10925 Candilara Lane, Midland, was charged Jan. 13 with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her two children.
Prosecutors say Greene started a fire that killed 8-year-old Addison Brooke Macemore and 10-year-old Nathan "Daniel" Macemore. The fire occurred on Jan. 10 at Greene's home.
A private fire investigator for the defense team said Greene did not start the fire. The arson expert said the fire was started by a lit candle in the children's bedroom.
Prosecutors are now in the process of recreating a model of the home, which could cost as much as $50,000, according to a court order. A search warrant was issued on Monday, allowing detectives to collect evidence to use in recreating the model of Greene's home. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents are performing the test.
"The ATF requires additional information as to the specifics of the burned structure and actual furnishings at the scene," according to the search warrant. "In order to complete the testing, the ATF must have samples of actual interior finished materials/products which include but (are) not limited to the carpet, carpet pads, drywall, wallpaper, wall coverings, molding, finish materials and sub flooring."
The evidence is being collected to model the conditions that existed in the original fire at Greene's home.
"The ATF fire testing will be important to the investigation of this fire in replicating the behavior of the fire as it relates to the fire's cause and origin," the search warrant states.
While detectives are continuing to investigate the fire, prosecutors are moving forward on the case.
On Wednesday, Cabarrus County Assistant District Attorney Ashlie Shanley filed a motion in Cabarrus County Superior Court stating that they are waiting to receive evidence from the defense attorneys.
"The state requests the defendant to give notice to the State of any expert witnesses that the defendant reasonably expects to call as a witness at the motions hearing scheduled for 16 November 2006," the motion states. "In support of this motion the State would show that the State provided discovery of more than 3,000 pages to the defense and requested reciprocal discovery on 23 March 2006."
As of Wednesday, prosecutors had not received that information, the motion states. In June, a Cabarrus County superior court judge issued a gag order on witnesses and attorneys involved in the case after a defense expert was quoted in news reports.
Greene is also charged with possession of marijuana up to a half ounce and first-degree arson.
Greene was charged after an investigation that began about 1:58 a.m. on Jan. 10 when the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office 911 received a call about a fire.
Officials responded to the fire and found the two children dead in their room. Greene had previously told officials the fire was started by a candle.
She also told deputies she tried to get her children out of the home, but couldn't. -Michael Knox

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Motion filed to suppress evidence

Attorneys for a mother charged with first-degree murder in connection with the January death of her two children have filed a motion to suppress evidence they said was collected without the use of a search warrant.
Lisa Louise Greene, 41, of 10925 Candilara Lane, Midland, was charged with starting a fire that killed her two children, 8-year-old Addison Brook Macemore and 10-year-old Nathan “Daniel” Macemore. The fire occurred Jan. 10 at Greene’s home.
“The State, on June 21, 2006, has filed a notice of intention to introduce certain evidence at trial consisting of statement or statements made by the defendant and evidence obtained by virtue of a search without a search warrant and evidence obtained by the result of a search warrant when the defendant was not present,” the motion states.
The motion was filed this month by Greene’s court-appointed attorneys Lisa Dubs and Robert E. Campbell.
The motion states that attorneys have received more than 2,500 pages of discovery for Greene’s case.
Prosecutors are in the process of conducting a test with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The test involves recreating a model of Greene’s home to study for burns.
“Various items of discovery have not been delivered to the defendant’s counsel, such as all of the ATF records, notes, files, result of testing and experiments,” the defense’s motion states.
In another matter in the case, court records state that when Greene was interviewed by deputies she was under the influence of prescribed medication that she had received from a doctor.
“Officers were told by the family of Lisa Greene that she was not in the right state of mind to give any statement,” the motion states.
Attorneys have requested a mental health evaluation of Greene, which could take at least three months to complete.
“The defendant’s counsel is in the process of conducting various mental health evaluations of the defendant which will be vital in the preparation and prosecution of any motions to suppress evidence,” the motion states.
The motion states that Greene was interviewed for five hours and 25 minutes before she was charged.
“At no time did the members of the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office record, tape, videotape or officially transcribe the statements made by Lisa Greene,” the motion states. “The handwritten statements were done in the handwriting of [a State Bureau of Investigation agent]. The officer did not record or even write down much of what Ms. Greene told them. The portions of the statement that the State contends is a ‘confession’ are more in the nature of rambling, nonsensical response to constant and repeated questioning by overbearing law enforcement.”
Ashlie Shanley, Cabarrus County assistant district attorney, earlier described Greene as a woman tired of raising her two children and who started a fire at her home to suffocate the children with carbon monoxide.
Neither prosecutors nor attorneys involved in the case are allowed to speak on the matter outside of court.
In June, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Erwin Spainhour filed an order telling people involved in the case to not talk to the media outside of courtroom proceedings.
The gag order was issued after an arson expert hired by Greene’s defense team told media that Greene did not start the fire.
Greene is being held without bond at the Cabarrus County Jail. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. -Michael Knox

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Greene makes first court appearance

Friends and relatives of Lisa Louise Greene sat in the courtroom Tuesday in tears as they learned when the woman’s next court appearance would be.
Greene, 41, is accused of killing her two children in a house fire and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing Feb. 1. She remains in the Cabarrus County Jail without bond.
Greene applied for a court-appointed attorney, who should be chosen within the next two weeks, court officials said.
As Greene’s supporters listened, the group took up the fourth and fifth rows of the Cabarrus County District Courtroom during Greene’s first court appearance.
She is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson in connection with the deaths of her two children, 8-year-old Addison Brooke Macemore and 10-year-old Nathan “Daniel” Macemore. The two died in a Jan. 10 house fire that deputies say was intentionally set. The home is at 10925 Candilara Lane, Midland.
About a dozen relatives stood outside the courtroom Tuesday morning waiting to learn when the hearing would begin.
One woman put up her hand and turned her head away, saying, “Go away, I don’t want to talk to you.”
In the courtroom, they watched as Greene entered the room for her 2:30 p.m. hearing.
Greene wore a green prisoner’s uniform, her face showed signs that she had been crying and she wiped tears from her eyes.
Judge Michael Knox presided over the hearing and when he asked Greene if she understood why she was there, she just nodded.
When she spoke, her voice was shaky, breaking with emotion.
Knox told Greene that if she is convicted of killing her children, she could face a maximum of life in prison without parole or even the death penalty.
Cabarrus County District Attorney Roxann Vaneekhoven has already said she is “strongly considering” the death penalty. Vaneekhoven said she will make a decision after she reviews the investigation report.
After Tuesday’s hearing, Greene’s supporters refused to talk. As one man stepped outside the courthouse he was greeted by four television cameras and a photographer.
“Out of the way, out of the way, out of the way,” the man snapped, waving his hands as he moved through the crowd.
The group left the courthouse, making their way to their cars.
One woman was in tears as the lady next to her shouted, “Please don’t bother her right now.”
As reporters followed the group one person asked if they were supporting Greene.
The woman was in tears as she turned to news crews.
“I’m supporting her,” she said. “And I’m praying for her.” -Michael Knox