CONCORD - Daniel Macemore, 10, died while reaching for the door trying to escape the flames that had engulfed his room, while his sister, Addison Macemore, 8, curled up with her knees to her chest and died in a corner, a first-responder witness testified Tuesday in the Lisa Louise Greene capital murder case.
In opening statements, defense attorneys said the children kicked so hard they put a hole in the Midland mobile home’s wall, fighting to escape the fire that prosecutors say their mother, Greene, started.
Both children died of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation, officials said. Prosecutors told jurors this information in opening statements in the double murder and arson case against Greene that began Tuesday. Opening statements followed more than a month of jury selection and pretrial hearings. Greene could face the death penalty if found guilty.
Assistant Attorney General David Adinolfi spoke forcefully, and painted Greene as a mother who disliked her children and wanted out of the responsibilities of parenthood, which led to the events on January 10, 2006.
Adinolfi said that Greene had made previous statements to friends that she “hated her children” and that she “hoped they were dead.”
Greene sobbed into her hands, and many of her family members cried loudly, as prosecutors meticulously retold the details from the night of the fire through a Powerpoint presentation. Adinolfi said that Greene was able to retrieve from the home her purse, all of her jewelry and a cell phone, which she didn’t use to contact 911, but not her children.
Lisa Dubs, Greene’s attorney, spoke of Greene’s innocence and painted Greene as a childhood victim of a tyrannical stepfather who “wanted to toughen the kids up,” and someone who was teased as an overweight teenager with a learning disability. But Dubs said that Greene overcame her troubled upbringing and grew to be a “successful” woman and loving mother.
“Her life was pretty much the way she wanted up until that night,” Dubs said.
Dubs also said that police overlooked other possible suspects in the case because they rushed to judge Greene.
“When someone doesn’t burn up in a fire to save their loved ones they become the suspect,” she said. “That’s not science.”
Dubs said that arson experts will prove that the fire was accidental, and that Greene’s initial explanation to firefighters - that a candle in the children’s room started the blaze - was true.
Prosecutors pointed to a statement they call a confession, which they say Greene made to investigators two days after the fire, as the true timetable of events.
Three first responder witnesses - two Cabarrus County EMS paramedics and a firefighter - testified that Greene was acting “theatrically” and was “putting on a show” for paramedics and family members the night of the fire, but said that she continually asked for her children and wanted firefighters to retrieve them from the home.
Investigators and other firefighters are scheduled to testify Wednesday.
Court officials expect the trial to last four weeks, but could extend two more if Greene is found guilty.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Judge allows Greene's statements to be heard
An alleged confession Lisa Louise Greene made to arson investigators will be heard by a jury in her double murder and arson trial, a Cabarrus County judge ruled today.
Defense attorneys attempted to suppress the statements she allegedly made to investigators three days after the Midland mobile home fire that killed her two children, but the motion to suppress was denied by Judge Robert Bell after a week of testimony.
Greene’s attorneys claim she was taking the medication Ativan, an anti-anxiety drug, during questioning and that investigators twisted her words.
In court documents filed by the prosecution, Greene allegedly told investigators she “set a blanket on fire and then placed that blanket on the bookcase outside the room where the children were sleeping … she then closed the door of the kids’ bedroom and went back to the recliner in the living room and sat as the fire burned.”
Bell said that he would allow the alleged statement to be heard in court but remarked he was “bothered” that detectives hadn’t recorded or videotaped the questioning.
Bell also ruled against a motion for a mistrial that defense attorneys made after prosecutors turned over more than 2,000 pages of documents pertaining to possible state witnesses Monday.
A motion to stay court proceedings so defense attorneys could review the documents was also denied.
Lisa Dubs, Greene’s lead attorney, pleaded with Bell to give the defense more time to review the documents and prepare, but after four weeks of jury selection and one week for suppression hearings, Bell would only grant an extended weekend.
The trial will begin Tuesday, Bell said.
Greene could face the death penalty if found guilty.
Defense attorneys attempted to suppress the statements she allegedly made to investigators three days after the Midland mobile home fire that killed her two children, but the motion to suppress was denied by Judge Robert Bell after a week of testimony.
Greene’s attorneys claim she was taking the medication Ativan, an anti-anxiety drug, during questioning and that investigators twisted her words.
In court documents filed by the prosecution, Greene allegedly told investigators she “set a blanket on fire and then placed that blanket on the bookcase outside the room where the children were sleeping … she then closed the door of the kids’ bedroom and went back to the recliner in the living room and sat as the fire burned.”
Bell said that he would allow the alleged statement to be heard in court but remarked he was “bothered” that detectives hadn’t recorded or videotaped the questioning.
Bell also ruled against a motion for a mistrial that defense attorneys made after prosecutors turned over more than 2,000 pages of documents pertaining to possible state witnesses Monday.
A motion to stay court proceedings so defense attorneys could review the documents was also denied.
Lisa Dubs, Greene’s lead attorney, pleaded with Bell to give the defense more time to review the documents and prepare, but after four weeks of jury selection and one week for suppression hearings, Bell would only grant an extended weekend.
The trial will begin Tuesday, Bell said.
Greene could face the death penalty if found guilty.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Defense questions detective on statements
In the second day of hearings to suppress an alleged confession Lisa Greene gave to investigators, Greene’s defense attorneys quizzed a detective on tactics used to lure her to an interview.
Defense attorney Robert Campbell questioned Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Detective Kevin Pfister’s intentions when he told the court he had invited Greene to the sheriff’s office to fill out paperwork to reclaim custody of her Midland mobile home. Pfister testified he never intended for Greene to fill out any paperwork and the reason for the invitation was so investigators could question her about perceived inconsistencies in her original statement.
“I wanted her to cooperate. She may not have cooperated if I had told her the truth,” Pfister said.
Pfister testified that before inviting Greene for the interview he believed she played a role in her children’s deaths.
Defense attorneys filed the motion to strike a statement investigators said she gave where she admits culpability by allegedly telling detectives the fire started on a blanket she was carrying and she did nothing to extinguish it. Campbell told the court Greene had been prescribed Ativan, an anti-anxiety medication, and was taking the drug during detective questioning. According to a manufacturer’s warning, Ativan’s side effects include hallucinations, drowsiness, amnesia and forgetfulness.
Pfister testified Thursday Greene appeared lucid during questioning. He testified Friday he never asked Greene about her medication.
Campbell also inquired about why Pfister didn’t record or videotape Greene’s interview.
Pfister said he had never recorded a interview of a suspect, and that he had always relied on his handwritten notes.
Questioning intensified after Pfister remembered on the stand statements Greene made that weren’t in the final interview notes.
Pfister testified Greene told investigators: “I didn’t kill my youngins, y’all,” before and after she gave her alleged confession.
“You say she confessed, but at the same time she’s saying ‘I didn’t do it’,” Campbell said.
Campbell asked if there could be other things Greene told investigators that didn’t make it into the final interview notes.
“That is possible,” Pfister replied.
Suppression hearings will continue Monday. The trial phase is expected to last at least four weeks.
Greene is accused of killing her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10 and Addison Macemore, 8, in a Jan. 10, 2006 Midland mobile home fire. Both children died of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation in the fire. Greene is charged with arson and two counts of murder and could face the death penalty if found guilty.
Defense attorney Robert Campbell questioned Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Detective Kevin Pfister’s intentions when he told the court he had invited Greene to the sheriff’s office to fill out paperwork to reclaim custody of her Midland mobile home. Pfister testified he never intended for Greene to fill out any paperwork and the reason for the invitation was so investigators could question her about perceived inconsistencies in her original statement.
“I wanted her to cooperate. She may not have cooperated if I had told her the truth,” Pfister said.
Pfister testified that before inviting Greene for the interview he believed she played a role in her children’s deaths.
Defense attorneys filed the motion to strike a statement investigators said she gave where she admits culpability by allegedly telling detectives the fire started on a blanket she was carrying and she did nothing to extinguish it. Campbell told the court Greene had been prescribed Ativan, an anti-anxiety medication, and was taking the drug during detective questioning. According to a manufacturer’s warning, Ativan’s side effects include hallucinations, drowsiness, amnesia and forgetfulness.
Pfister testified Thursday Greene appeared lucid during questioning. He testified Friday he never asked Greene about her medication.
Campbell also inquired about why Pfister didn’t record or videotape Greene’s interview.
Pfister said he had never recorded a interview of a suspect, and that he had always relied on his handwritten notes.
Questioning intensified after Pfister remembered on the stand statements Greene made that weren’t in the final interview notes.
Pfister testified Greene told investigators: “I didn’t kill my youngins, y’all,” before and after she gave her alleged confession.
“You say she confessed, but at the same time she’s saying ‘I didn’t do it’,” Campbell said.
Campbell asked if there could be other things Greene told investigators that didn’t make it into the final interview notes.
“That is possible,” Pfister replied.
Suppression hearings will continue Monday. The trial phase is expected to last at least four weeks.
Greene is accused of killing her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10 and Addison Macemore, 8, in a Jan. 10, 2006 Midland mobile home fire. Both children died of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation in the fire. Greene is charged with arson and two counts of murder and could face the death penalty if found guilty.
Detective reads statements in pretrial hearing for Lisa Greene
Lisa Greene wept loudly during Thursday’s court hearings as Cabarrus Detective Kevin Pfister read statements she allegedly gave to arson investigators the night her two children died in the Jan. 10, 2006, Midland mobile home fire, which she is accused of starting.
Pfister was called to testify in a hearing to suppress a confession Greene, 42, allegedly gave to investigators. Pretrial motions began Thursday after the third and final alternate juror was selected after a four-week seating process.
The detective testified that Greene quoted her son, Daniel Macemore, 10, as saying, “Momma, don’t leave us,” as flames filled his sister’s room.
During his hour-long testimony, Pfister said that Greene told investigators the night of the fire that she had attempted to enter the room but “the flames were too high” and that she had burned her foot attempting entry. He said Greene told investigators that Daniel had slept in the same room as his sister, Addison Macemore, 8, the night of the fire because “he couldn’t sleep by himself, ever.” Greene’s attorneys, in pretrial motions, argued that the fire began accidentally from two lighted candles in the children’s room.
Pfister testified that the statement was the first of three Greene gave to him.
The third statement, which prosecutors believe is a confession, was given three days after the fire, Pfister testified. Reading from that statement in court, Pfister testified that Greene told investigators the fire started when a blanket she was carrying caught fire and she did nothing to extinguish the blaze.
“I don’t know why I didn’t wake my kids,” Pfister read in court. “I wanted to lay down and forget everything. I wanted to go to sleep and forget everything.”
Greene’s attorney, Robert Campbell, grilled Pfister during cross-examinations because this was Pfister’s first homicide case since he was promoted to detective from community police officer. Campbell also questioned why Pfister didn’t record the conversation with video or audio devices.
In court documents obtained by the Independent Tribune, Greene’s court-appointed attorneys said she was on medication when the statement was given and she was distraught because detectives questioned her during the time of her children’s wake.
Cabarrus County Assistant District Attorney Ashley Shandley continually asked Pfister at Thursday’s hearing if Greene seemed to be incoherent, not in control or upset while investigators questioned her. Pfister testified that Greene seemed lucid during questioning and that her walk “wasn’t prohibited or bothered in anyway.” The detective testified that he wasn’t aware of the extent of her injuries, but that her bandaged foot “was pink and had a few black specks.”
Cross-examination will continue Friday, and others are scheduled to testify in the pretrial hearing, which could push the trial’s start date as late as Tuesday.
Greene is charged with murder and arson and faces the death penalty if found guilty. The trial is scheduled to last four weeks, and could be extended two more for death penalty considerations if she is found guilty.
-Josh Lanier
Pfister was called to testify in a hearing to suppress a confession Greene, 42, allegedly gave to investigators. Pretrial motions began Thursday after the third and final alternate juror was selected after a four-week seating process.
The detective testified that Greene quoted her son, Daniel Macemore, 10, as saying, “Momma, don’t leave us,” as flames filled his sister’s room.
During his hour-long testimony, Pfister said that Greene told investigators the night of the fire that she had attempted to enter the room but “the flames were too high” and that she had burned her foot attempting entry. He said Greene told investigators that Daniel had slept in the same room as his sister, Addison Macemore, 8, the night of the fire because “he couldn’t sleep by himself, ever.” Greene’s attorneys, in pretrial motions, argued that the fire began accidentally from two lighted candles in the children’s room.
Pfister testified that the statement was the first of three Greene gave to him.
The third statement, which prosecutors believe is a confession, was given three days after the fire, Pfister testified. Reading from that statement in court, Pfister testified that Greene told investigators the fire started when a blanket she was carrying caught fire and she did nothing to extinguish the blaze.
“I don’t know why I didn’t wake my kids,” Pfister read in court. “I wanted to lay down and forget everything. I wanted to go to sleep and forget everything.”
Greene’s attorney, Robert Campbell, grilled Pfister during cross-examinations because this was Pfister’s first homicide case since he was promoted to detective from community police officer. Campbell also questioned why Pfister didn’t record the conversation with video or audio devices.
In court documents obtained by the Independent Tribune, Greene’s court-appointed attorneys said she was on medication when the statement was given and she was distraught because detectives questioned her during the time of her children’s wake.
Cabarrus County Assistant District Attorney Ashley Shandley continually asked Pfister at Thursday’s hearing if Greene seemed to be incoherent, not in control or upset while investigators questioned her. Pfister testified that Greene seemed lucid during questioning and that her walk “wasn’t prohibited or bothered in anyway.” The detective testified that he wasn’t aware of the extent of her injuries, but that her bandaged foot “was pink and had a few black specks.”
Cross-examination will continue Friday, and others are scheduled to testify in the pretrial hearing, which could push the trial’s start date as late as Tuesday.
Greene is charged with murder and arson and faces the death penalty if found guilty. The trial is scheduled to last four weeks, and could be extended two more for death penalty considerations if she is found guilty.
-Josh Lanier
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Jury Selection Nearly Complete
CONCORD - Jury selection is almost complete in the Lisa Louise Greene double-murder trial after nine days of questioning.
Ten jurors have been chosen as of Thursday and Judge Robert Bell (Mecklenburg) told attorneys he expected to have all 12 jurors and two to three alternates chosen by the middle of next week.
Jury selection began Oct. 8 as Assistant District Attorney Ashlie Shanley and Greene’s attorneys, Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, quizzed potential jurors on their views of the death penalty, their knowledge of the case and their ability to decide the case regardless of outside factors.
At least four jurors were excused because their religious or personal views wouldn’t allow them to sentence anyone to death. Almost all of the jurors questioned said they had heard of the case in the news, but would be able to make a decision based solely on court proceedings.
Greene, 42, has remained predominantly stoic during jury selection. However, the first day during pretrial motions, she appeared animated and continually turned to her supporters to show excitement or anger at certain rulings.
The jury will be paid $12 for the first day of service, $20 the second through the fifth and $40 each additional day. The trial is expected to last four weeks, not including a sentencing phase, which could add a possible two weeks, court officials said.
After jury selection is complete, pre-trial hearings are scheduled to begin, including suppression of an alleged confession Greene made to arson investigators days after the fire.
The “guilt or innocence” phase of the trial could begin as early as Oct. 29, court officials said.
Greene is accused of killing her two children by setting her Midland trailer on fire on Jan. 10, 2006. Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison Macemore, 8, died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire. She is also charged with arson, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.
If convicted, jurors would have to decide between sentencing her to life in prison or the death penalty. If sentenced to death, she would be the first woman to receive that sentence in Cabarrus County’s history.
Ten jurors have been chosen as of Thursday and Judge Robert Bell (Mecklenburg) told attorneys he expected to have all 12 jurors and two to three alternates chosen by the middle of next week.
Jury selection began Oct. 8 as Assistant District Attorney Ashlie Shanley and Greene’s attorneys, Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, quizzed potential jurors on their views of the death penalty, their knowledge of the case and their ability to decide the case regardless of outside factors.
At least four jurors were excused because their religious or personal views wouldn’t allow them to sentence anyone to death. Almost all of the jurors questioned said they had heard of the case in the news, but would be able to make a decision based solely on court proceedings.
Greene, 42, has remained predominantly stoic during jury selection. However, the first day during pretrial motions, she appeared animated and continually turned to her supporters to show excitement or anger at certain rulings.
The jury will be paid $12 for the first day of service, $20 the second through the fifth and $40 each additional day. The trial is expected to last four weeks, not including a sentencing phase, which could add a possible two weeks, court officials said.
After jury selection is complete, pre-trial hearings are scheduled to begin, including suppression of an alleged confession Greene made to arson investigators days after the fire.
The “guilt or innocence” phase of the trial could begin as early as Oct. 29, court officials said.
Greene is accused of killing her two children by setting her Midland trailer on fire on Jan. 10, 2006. Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison Macemore, 8, died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire. She is also charged with arson, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.
If convicted, jurors would have to decide between sentencing her to life in prison or the death penalty. If sentenced to death, she would be the first woman to receive that sentence in Cabarrus County’s history.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Jurors say they have no bias
Potential jurors in the Lisa Greene murder and arson case said on Tuesday that they would be able to put aside any information they may hear outside of the courtroom about the case if they are called to serve.
Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, Greene's attorneys had asked Superior Court Judge Robert Bell on Monday to move the trial to another location because media attention could bias a Cabarrus County jury. Bell said he would only consider the change in venue if several jurors showed signs of a bias because of media scrutiny. Of the eight jurors questioned by Ashlie Shandley, Cabarrus County Assistant District Attorney, five said they had seen media coverage of the case but would base their decision solely on courtroom testimony. One juror was excused Tuesday because he said his religious convictions, wouldn't allow him to kill another person - no matter what the circumstances.
Bell estimated that court proceedings could last eight weeks: Four weeks for jury selection and four weeks for the trial phase.
Bell also ruled Tuesday that he would allow television cameras in the courtroom after ruling Monday that he would allow still-frame photographs to be taken. Jon Buchan, an attorney representing local media outlets, argued that cameras in the courtroom would alleviate any misinformation about that case. Greene's attorneys and Shandley objected to cameras in the courtroom. Greene is on trial for the death of her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison, Macemore, 8 in a trailer fire on Jan 10, 2006. Both children died of carbon monoxide poisoning. If found guilty she could face the death penalty.
Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, Greene's attorneys had asked Superior Court Judge Robert Bell on Monday to move the trial to another location because media attention could bias a Cabarrus County jury. Bell said he would only consider the change in venue if several jurors showed signs of a bias because of media scrutiny. Of the eight jurors questioned by Ashlie Shandley, Cabarrus County Assistant District Attorney, five said they had seen media coverage of the case but would base their decision solely on courtroom testimony. One juror was excused Tuesday because he said his religious convictions, wouldn't allow him to kill another person - no matter what the circumstances.
Bell estimated that court proceedings could last eight weeks: Four weeks for jury selection and four weeks for the trial phase.
Bell also ruled Tuesday that he would allow television cameras in the courtroom after ruling Monday that he would allow still-frame photographs to be taken. Jon Buchan, an attorney representing local media outlets, argued that cameras in the courtroom would alleviate any misinformation about that case. Greene's attorneys and Shandley objected to cameras in the courtroom. Greene is on trial for the death of her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison, Macemore, 8 in a trailer fire on Jan 10, 2006. Both children died of carbon monoxide poisoning. If found guilty she could face the death penalty.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Greene has first day at trial
Lisa Louise Greene, 42, had her first day in court Monday as pretrial hearings and jury selection began in the first-degree murder and arson case.
Greene is accused of intentionally starting a fire at her Midland trailer on Jan. 10, 2006, that took the lives of her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10 and Addison Macemore, 8. If she is found guilty, Greene could face life in prison or be sentenced to death.
Court proceedings stemming from Greene’s misdemeanor drug possession and possession of drug parphenalia charges lodged after police found the items at her home the night of the fire had been scheduled for a later date, but in a pretrial motion filed by Cabarrus County Assistant District Attorney Ashlie Shandley, Judge Robert Bell (Mecklenburg County), joined the two. Greene’s defense team, Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, objected to that motion.
Bell will hear testimony this morning on whether a statement given to arson investigators on Jan 13, 2006, in which Greene allegedly confessed to starting the fire will be suppressed because, according to Dubs statements at trial, Greene was on medication during the interview and was pressured into going with police. Dubs called the sworn document “false” and “inflammatory.”
In other pretrial motions, Greene’s attorneys requested that court proceedings be moved to another county on the grounds that the media attention of the case could have influenced the Cabarrus County jury pool. Bell said that he would wait to give a decision until after speaking with potential jurors and getting a better understanding of the issue.
Greene was animated during the initial proceedings, throwing her hands up and shaking her head as ADA Shandley read articles and reports by news outlets, and she continually turned and smiled or grimaced to the more than 30 family members and friends who sat in the gallery at Monday’s hearings as Bell made rulings on motions.
After pretrial hearings, 80 potential jurors were brought in and asked to fill out a six-page questionnaire about the case that will be used to screen out unwanted jurors.
If the 12 jurors and two alternates necessary for the case aren’t found in the initial batch of potential jurors more will be brought into for questioning later this week. - Josh Lanier
Greene is accused of intentionally starting a fire at her Midland trailer on Jan. 10, 2006, that took the lives of her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10 and Addison Macemore, 8. If she is found guilty, Greene could face life in prison or be sentenced to death.
Court proceedings stemming from Greene’s misdemeanor drug possession and possession of drug parphenalia charges lodged after police found the items at her home the night of the fire had been scheduled for a later date, but in a pretrial motion filed by Cabarrus County Assistant District Attorney Ashlie Shandley, Judge Robert Bell (Mecklenburg County), joined the two. Greene’s defense team, Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, objected to that motion.
Bell will hear testimony this morning on whether a statement given to arson investigators on Jan 13, 2006, in which Greene allegedly confessed to starting the fire will be suppressed because, according to Dubs statements at trial, Greene was on medication during the interview and was pressured into going with police. Dubs called the sworn document “false” and “inflammatory.”
In other pretrial motions, Greene’s attorneys requested that court proceedings be moved to another county on the grounds that the media attention of the case could have influenced the Cabarrus County jury pool. Bell said that he would wait to give a decision until after speaking with potential jurors and getting a better understanding of the issue.
Greene was animated during the initial proceedings, throwing her hands up and shaking her head as ADA Shandley read articles and reports by news outlets, and she continually turned and smiled or grimaced to the more than 30 family members and friends who sat in the gallery at Monday’s hearings as Bell made rulings on motions.
After pretrial hearings, 80 potential jurors were brought in and asked to fill out a six-page questionnaire about the case that will be used to screen out unwanted jurors.
If the 12 jurors and two alternates necessary for the case aren’t found in the initial batch of potential jurors more will be brought into for questioning later this week. - Josh Lanier
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Jury Selection Begins in murder trial
Jury selection is set to begin this morning in the trial of a woman accused of setting a fire outside the bedroom where her children were sleeping.
Lisa Greene is charged with arson and two counts of first-degree murder. She faces the death penalty if she is convicted.
Defense attorneys will try today to suppress some of the statements investigators say she made. They will also try to persuade a judge to move the trial out of Cabarrus County to another venue because of previous media coverage.
Prosecutors say Greene said she set a blanket on fire and laid it on a bookshelf outside the room where the children slept. Investigators say Greene told them that as the shelf burned, she closed the door and sat in a living room recliner. They say she left when she began to smell smoke and didn't do anything to help the children.
Ten-year-old Daniel Macemore, and his 8-year-old sister, Addison, died of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation. - AP
Lisa Greene is charged with arson and two counts of first-degree murder. She faces the death penalty if she is convicted.
Defense attorneys will try today to suppress some of the statements investigators say she made. They will also try to persuade a judge to move the trial out of Cabarrus County to another venue because of previous media coverage.
Prosecutors say Greene said she set a blanket on fire and laid it on a bookshelf outside the room where the children slept. Investigators say Greene told them that as the shelf burned, she closed the door and sat in a living room recliner. They say she left when she began to smell smoke and didn't do anything to help the children.
Ten-year-old Daniel Macemore, and his 8-year-old sister, Addison, died of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation. - AP
Friday, October 5, 2007
Life and Death Decisions
A jury that is scheduled to be selected Monday in the Lisa Louise Greene case will have the option to sentence her to life in prison or death by lethal injection if she is found guilty of first-degree murder. A recent decline in the number of death penalty sentences handed down by juries will make the case interesting for Cabarrus County prosecutors.
Greene is accused of intentionally starting a fire at her Midland mobile home on January 10, 2006 that killed her children, Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison Macemore, 8. In court documents obtained by the Independent Tribune, Cabarrus County District Attorney, Roxann Vaneekhoven, said that the crimes Greene is accused of are “especially heinous,” and that the death penalty was necessary.
Isaac Unah, a UNC political science professor who has studied North Carolina death penalty cases, said juries have returned fewer death verdicts in recent years because of a national debate against the death penalty.
“Juries, like everyone else, watch the news and they hear things about cases of individuals put to death who are later exonerated, death penalty cases are always in the news,” Unah said. “There’s a national trend against the death penalty. Juries are citizens as well.”
A 2006 Gallup poll found that 65 percent of Americans were in favor of the death penalty, but Unah believes that poll numbers are inflated because they are only yes or no answers.
“On a gut level most people feel that the death penalty is necessary,” he said. “But we continually see a decline in death sentences because once juries begin to think about the implications and irreversibility of their decision they side against that option.”
Tyler Gladden, convicted in the 2002 contract murder of Tara Chambers and her child, was sentenced to life plus 50 years on Aug 4. Cabarrus jurors had the option to sentence Gladden to die.
Gladden’s case was the first death penalty case in seven years for Cabarrus County. Cabarrus County prosecutors do not keep records of how many death penalty cases they’ve tried and it is unknown how many juries have returned a sentence of life in prison instead of the death penalty.
Since North Carolina lifted automatic death penalty sentences for first-degree murder cases in 1967 and allowed juries to decide death sentences, only four Cabarrus County individuals have been sentenced to die.
David Lawson was the last man executed from Cabarrus County. He died in the gas chamber on June 2, 1994, after being convicted of killing Wayne Shinn. According to previous reports, Shinn caught Lawson breaking into his Concord home in 1980. After a fight ensued, Lawson shot Shinn and his father, who survived, at point blank range in the back of the head.
Lawson made national headlines when he asked the Phil Donahue Show to televise his execution. The U.S. Supreme Court denied that request.
Since Lawson, three other Cabarrus County men from have waited their turn for the needle. Two of them, Andrew Craig and Francis Anthony were removed from death row when a superior court judge vacated their death sentences for a life sentences in 2002.
Ernest McCarver’s death sentence was put on hold by a Supreme Court ruling in 2001 that asked a lower N.C. circuit court to review medical information that he was mentally retarded. McCarver’s stay of execution was handed down only hours before he was scheduled to die by lethal injection, North Carolina’s only method of execution. He is on death row. He was convicted of the robbery and murder of a Cabarrus County restaurant owner, Woodrow Hartley.
Individuals must be convicted of first-degree murder and at least one of 11 aggravating circumstances to be eligible for the death penalty in North Carolina. - Josh Lanier
Greene is accused of intentionally starting a fire at her Midland mobile home on January 10, 2006 that killed her children, Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison Macemore, 8. In court documents obtained by the Independent Tribune, Cabarrus County District Attorney, Roxann Vaneekhoven, said that the crimes Greene is accused of are “especially heinous,” and that the death penalty was necessary.
Isaac Unah, a UNC political science professor who has studied North Carolina death penalty cases, said juries have returned fewer death verdicts in recent years because of a national debate against the death penalty.
“Juries, like everyone else, watch the news and they hear things about cases of individuals put to death who are later exonerated, death penalty cases are always in the news,” Unah said. “There’s a national trend against the death penalty. Juries are citizens as well.”
A 2006 Gallup poll found that 65 percent of Americans were in favor of the death penalty, but Unah believes that poll numbers are inflated because they are only yes or no answers.
“On a gut level most people feel that the death penalty is necessary,” he said. “But we continually see a decline in death sentences because once juries begin to think about the implications and irreversibility of their decision they side against that option.”
Tyler Gladden, convicted in the 2002 contract murder of Tara Chambers and her child, was sentenced to life plus 50 years on Aug 4. Cabarrus jurors had the option to sentence Gladden to die.
Gladden’s case was the first death penalty case in seven years for Cabarrus County. Cabarrus County prosecutors do not keep records of how many death penalty cases they’ve tried and it is unknown how many juries have returned a sentence of life in prison instead of the death penalty.
Since North Carolina lifted automatic death penalty sentences for first-degree murder cases in 1967 and allowed juries to decide death sentences, only four Cabarrus County individuals have been sentenced to die.
David Lawson was the last man executed from Cabarrus County. He died in the gas chamber on June 2, 1994, after being convicted of killing Wayne Shinn. According to previous reports, Shinn caught Lawson breaking into his Concord home in 1980. After a fight ensued, Lawson shot Shinn and his father, who survived, at point blank range in the back of the head.
Lawson made national headlines when he asked the Phil Donahue Show to televise his execution. The U.S. Supreme Court denied that request.
Since Lawson, three other Cabarrus County men from have waited their turn for the needle. Two of them, Andrew Craig and Francis Anthony were removed from death row when a superior court judge vacated their death sentences for a life sentences in 2002.
Ernest McCarver’s death sentence was put on hold by a Supreme Court ruling in 2001 that asked a lower N.C. circuit court to review medical information that he was mentally retarded. McCarver’s stay of execution was handed down only hours before he was scheduled to die by lethal injection, North Carolina’s only method of execution. He is on death row. He was convicted of the robbery and murder of a Cabarrus County restaurant owner, Woodrow Hartley.
Individuals must be convicted of first-degree murder and at least one of 11 aggravating circumstances to be eligible for the death penalty in North Carolina. - Josh Lanier
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Names escape them, but neighbors can't forget the crime
MIDLAND - Most residents don’t remember her name, but they haven’t forgotten the charges against Lisa Louise Greene.
Greene, 42, is charged with killing her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison Macemore, 8, in a house fire on Jan. 10, 2006. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
Several Midland residents said they were familiar with the case and had formed an opinion about it.
Outside of the Sunday Shop, a popular ice cream and sandwich shop in Midland, less than a mile from where the fire occurred, many customers said finding an impartial jury will be difficult to do.
According to court officials, the jury will consist only of Cabarrus County residents.
Several customers said they have driven past Greene’s former home because they wanted to see it for themselves.
The trailer, located at 10925 Candilara Lane, has switched owners three times since Greene went to jail on Jan. 13, 2006. It’s been renovated and remodeled.
“We had no idea that anything like that had happened here,” said the current owner, who did not want to be identified. “We didn’t find out until a few weeks ago when someone came looking for information on the case.”
The publicity around the case because of the public interest has been the subject of several pretrial motions on who should have jurisdiction to rule in the trial.
In court documents obtained by the Independent Tribune, Greene’s court-appointed attorneys, Lisa Andrew Dubs and Richard Campbell, opposed a motion by Assistant District Attorney Ashlie Shanley that asked Judge Erwin Spainhour, a Cabarrus County Superior Court Judge, to retain jurisdiction over the case.
In the court documents, Shanley said the notoriety, among other things, in the case would best be handled in the county where the offenses took place and the defendant lives.
Dubs and Campbell argued that “heightened interest makes it less appropriate for a judge who is elected in the same community to appoint himself to preside over (the) case.”
Because of the motions, Judge W. Robert Bell (Mecklenburg County) has been in brought to preside over the case.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday. - Josh Lanier
Greene, 42, is charged with killing her two children, Daniel Macemore, 10, and Addison Macemore, 8, in a house fire on Jan. 10, 2006. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
Several Midland residents said they were familiar with the case and had formed an opinion about it.
Outside of the Sunday Shop, a popular ice cream and sandwich shop in Midland, less than a mile from where the fire occurred, many customers said finding an impartial jury will be difficult to do.
According to court officials, the jury will consist only of Cabarrus County residents.
Several customers said they have driven past Greene’s former home because they wanted to see it for themselves.
The trailer, located at 10925 Candilara Lane, has switched owners three times since Greene went to jail on Jan. 13, 2006. It’s been renovated and remodeled.
“We had no idea that anything like that had happened here,” said the current owner, who did not want to be identified. “We didn’t find out until a few weeks ago when someone came looking for information on the case.”
The publicity around the case because of the public interest has been the subject of several pretrial motions on who should have jurisdiction to rule in the trial.
In court documents obtained by the Independent Tribune, Greene’s court-appointed attorneys, Lisa Andrew Dubs and Richard Campbell, opposed a motion by Assistant District Attorney Ashlie Shanley that asked Judge Erwin Spainhour, a Cabarrus County Superior Court Judge, to retain jurisdiction over the case.
In the court documents, Shanley said the notoriety, among other things, in the case would best be handled in the county where the offenses took place and the defendant lives.
Dubs and Campbell argued that “heightened interest makes it less appropriate for a judge who is elected in the same community to appoint himself to preside over (the) case.”
Because of the motions, Judge W. Robert Bell (Mecklenburg County) has been in brought to preside over the case.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday. - Josh Lanier
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Greene trial set to begin next week
CONCORD - The trial for a mother accused of killing her two children by starting a fire at the Midland mobile home where the family lived is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection.
Lisa Louise Greene, 42, could face the death penalty or life in prison if found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson in the January 10, 2006 fire.
Greene’s court appointed attorneys Lisa Andrew Dubs and Richard Campbell, have asked for more time to prepare for the trial, but their last appeal for a continuation was denied, setting an Oct. 8 court date, according to a court document obtained by the Independent Tribune.
A Cabarrus County judge has issued a “gag order,” barring anyone associated with the case from speaking to the media. Judge Robert Bell, a superior judge from Mecklenburg County, will preside over the case.
According to court documents, the Midland Volunteer firefighters responded to Greene’s doublewide trailer at 10925 Candilara Lane after receiving a 2 a.m. 911 call from neighbors who had heard her screams for help. Firefighters found the two children, Nathan “Daniel” Macemore, 10, and Addison Brooke Macemore, 8, dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in the back bedroom. Police found half an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the living room of the house and arrested Greene, documents said.
Greene initially told investigators that the fire likely started with a candle that was lit in the children’s room. During an interview Jan. 13, 2006, investigators told Greene that little fire damage was seen inside the room with the children and she then confessed to starting the blaze by lighting a blanket on fire and placing it on top of a bookcase outside of the children’s room, documents said.
In a sworn statement by N.C. SBI Special Agent Mullis, an arson investigator recounted the interview with Greene.
“Greene admitted that she knew that the bookcase outside the kid’s room had caught on fire. Greene admitted to this (investigator) that she then closed the door of the kids’ bedroom and went back to a recliner in the living room and sat as the fire burned.”
After smelling smoke, Mullis’ statement continued, she left the residence. Greene admitted she did nothing to assist her children.
An arson expert, John Lentini, hired by Greene’s defense team who is scheduled to testify will rebut investigators claims that the fire began outside of the children’s room.
Her attorney’s have issued a motion to suppress the confession because they claim she was taking medication given to her the night of the fire by emergency room doctors and she was distraught because the five and a half hour interview took place during the funeral visitations for her children.
A hearing for the suppression is scheduled for next week.
Greene has been held in the Cabarrus County jail with no bond since Jan 13, 2006. - Josh Lanier
Lisa Louise Greene, 42, could face the death penalty or life in prison if found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson in the January 10, 2006 fire.
Greene’s court appointed attorneys Lisa Andrew Dubs and Richard Campbell, have asked for more time to prepare for the trial, but their last appeal for a continuation was denied, setting an Oct. 8 court date, according to a court document obtained by the Independent Tribune.
A Cabarrus County judge has issued a “gag order,” barring anyone associated with the case from speaking to the media. Judge Robert Bell, a superior judge from Mecklenburg County, will preside over the case.
According to court documents, the Midland Volunteer firefighters responded to Greene’s doublewide trailer at 10925 Candilara Lane after receiving a 2 a.m. 911 call from neighbors who had heard her screams for help. Firefighters found the two children, Nathan “Daniel” Macemore, 10, and Addison Brooke Macemore, 8, dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in the back bedroom. Police found half an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the living room of the house and arrested Greene, documents said.
Greene initially told investigators that the fire likely started with a candle that was lit in the children’s room. During an interview Jan. 13, 2006, investigators told Greene that little fire damage was seen inside the room with the children and she then confessed to starting the blaze by lighting a blanket on fire and placing it on top of a bookcase outside of the children’s room, documents said.
In a sworn statement by N.C. SBI Special Agent Mullis, an arson investigator recounted the interview with Greene.
“Greene admitted that she knew that the bookcase outside the kid’s room had caught on fire. Greene admitted to this (investigator) that she then closed the door of the kids’ bedroom and went back to a recliner in the living room and sat as the fire burned.”
After smelling smoke, Mullis’ statement continued, she left the residence. Greene admitted she did nothing to assist her children.
An arson expert, John Lentini, hired by Greene’s defense team who is scheduled to testify will rebut investigators claims that the fire began outside of the children’s room.
Her attorney’s have issued a motion to suppress the confession because they claim she was taking medication given to her the night of the fire by emergency room doctors and she was distraught because the five and a half hour interview took place during the funeral visitations for her children.
A hearing for the suppression is scheduled for next week.
Greene has been held in the Cabarrus County jail with no bond since Jan 13, 2006. - Josh Lanier
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Greene could face death penalty
Lisa Louise Greene could face the death penalty if convicted of setting a fire that killed her two children. On Friday a superior court judge approved a motion filed by the Cabarrus District Attorney’s Office making it a capital murder case.
Greene’s defense attorneys also requested bond for Greene. That motion was denied.
Ashlie Shanley, Cabarrus County assistant district attorney, described Greene as a woman tired of raising her two children, and who started a fire at her Midland home to suffocate them with carbon monoxide.
The children suffered from asthma and were afraid of fire, Shanley said.
When the fire started, Greene shouted through the closed bedroom door and told the children to stay on the bed and wait until she came with help, she said.
Greene, 40, was charged Jan. 13 with two counts of first-degree murder, and one count each of first-degree arson, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The charges stem from a Jan. 10 fire at 10925 Candilara Lane in Midland that killed Greene’s two children, 8-year-old Addison Brooke Macemore and 10-year-old Nathan “Daniel” Macemore.
More than 20 of Greene’s family and friends were in the courtroom.
Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, Greene’s court appointed
attorneys, requested bond for Greene. Long denied the motion after Dubs presented her case and Greene is being held at the Cabarrus County Jail.
Dubs said she was able to find at least seven cases in which an individual charged with a capital murder case was released on bond. One of those cases was in Cabarrus, she said.
During the bond hearing, Dubs played the 911 tape from the night of the fire at Greene’s home.
As the tape played, Dubs placed her arm over the shoulder of Greene, who sat crying in the courtroom wearing a green prisoner’s uniform.
Her relatives also cried as they listened to the tape of Greene screaming for help after a neighbor called 911.
Dubs said that the night of the fire, Greene fell asleep in her chair and that many witnesses could testify that Addison and Daniel liked to use candles in their room.
Dubs said that a smoke alarm woke up Greene on the night of the fire and she tried to reach her children, but couldn’t.
Dubs said that one report states that during the fire all Greene could say was, “‘Go get my kids’ and ‘Where are my kids?’”
She said Greene was taken to NorthEast Medical Center where she was treated for smoke inhalation.
She also said that Greene had a third-degree burn to her foot. That was a discrepancy from the prosecution’s records that showed Greene only had a minor burn.
Shanley alleged that Greene’s motive for the murder was that she didn’t want to have children and couldn’t find a man to be with because of having children.
But Dubs said Greene, despite being a single mother, had a support system that helped her raise her two children.
Greene’s mother, Dale, testified Friday.
She said Lisa Greene was a photographer who would travel to various schools and take yearbook photos. When Lisa Greene was gone, she would often watch the children.
“I watched Daniel and Addison when she was at work. I’d put them on the bus and I’d watch them when they got off the bus,” Dale Greene said. “I was there a lot with them.”
Dubs also said that the day of the fire, the children’s bookbags were packed for school, they had snacks and signed papers ready for the next day.
“Those are not the actions of a careless mother,” Dubs said. “They are certainly not the actions of a mother planning to kill her children.”
Dubs said there was no motive for Greene to kill her children because there was no insurance policy on the children and there many family members who could aid with child care.
“They were healthy, normal children without any signs of abuse,” Dubs said.
Dubs said Friday that she may file a motion to submit statements made by Greene the day she was arrested.
Shanley stated that Greene told detectives she placed a blanket on fire outside the door to the children’s bedroom. The blanket caught the bookcase on fire and she then closed the door.
Shanley said Greene then went to sit in her recliner chair as the smoke began to build.
“Doing nothing to help these children,” Shanley said.
Shanley said Greene then went outside and waited, not expecting her neighbor’s dogs to start barking, which alerted Greene’s neighbor that was something was going on.
The neighbor called 911.
“Witnesses will say she did not make one move to get up and save her kids,” Shanley said. Shanley said Greene did ask for her car to be moved so it wouldn’t be burned in the fire.
Dubs said some of the statement’s Shanley was citing were made by Greene to deputies the same day she was arrested.
That was also the day she was preparing to attend her children’s funeral as well as using tranquilizers to stabilize her emotions. Dubs said the statements Greene may have made were done so under duress.
Dubs also said that when an attorney was contacted by Greene’s family, he was not allowed to sit in on the interview. Shanley said Greene never requested an attorney during the interview.
“Those statements are very suspect,” Dubs said. “She was called to the sheriff’s office the day that she was to start receiving (guests) for her children’s funeral.”-Michael Knox
Greene’s defense attorneys also requested bond for Greene. That motion was denied.
Ashlie Shanley, Cabarrus County assistant district attorney, described Greene as a woman tired of raising her two children, and who started a fire at her Midland home to suffocate them with carbon monoxide.
The children suffered from asthma and were afraid of fire, Shanley said.
When the fire started, Greene shouted through the closed bedroom door and told the children to stay on the bed and wait until she came with help, she said.
Greene, 40, was charged Jan. 13 with two counts of first-degree murder, and one count each of first-degree arson, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The charges stem from a Jan. 10 fire at 10925 Candilara Lane in Midland that killed Greene’s two children, 8-year-old Addison Brooke Macemore and 10-year-old Nathan “Daniel” Macemore.
More than 20 of Greene’s family and friends were in the courtroom.
Lisa Dubs and Robert Campbell, Greene’s court appointed
attorneys, requested bond for Greene. Long denied the motion after Dubs presented her case and Greene is being held at the Cabarrus County Jail.
Dubs said she was able to find at least seven cases in which an individual charged with a capital murder case was released on bond. One of those cases was in Cabarrus, she said.
During the bond hearing, Dubs played the 911 tape from the night of the fire at Greene’s home.
As the tape played, Dubs placed her arm over the shoulder of Greene, who sat crying in the courtroom wearing a green prisoner’s uniform.
Her relatives also cried as they listened to the tape of Greene screaming for help after a neighbor called 911.
Dubs said that the night of the fire, Greene fell asleep in her chair and that many witnesses could testify that Addison and Daniel liked to use candles in their room.
Dubs said that a smoke alarm woke up Greene on the night of the fire and she tried to reach her children, but couldn’t.
Dubs said that one report states that during the fire all Greene could say was, “‘Go get my kids’ and ‘Where are my kids?’”
She said Greene was taken to NorthEast Medical Center where she was treated for smoke inhalation.
She also said that Greene had a third-degree burn to her foot. That was a discrepancy from the prosecution’s records that showed Greene only had a minor burn.
Shanley alleged that Greene’s motive for the murder was that she didn’t want to have children and couldn’t find a man to be with because of having children.
But Dubs said Greene, despite being a single mother, had a support system that helped her raise her two children.
Greene’s mother, Dale, testified Friday.
She said Lisa Greene was a photographer who would travel to various schools and take yearbook photos. When Lisa Greene was gone, she would often watch the children.
“I watched Daniel and Addison when she was at work. I’d put them on the bus and I’d watch them when they got off the bus,” Dale Greene said. “I was there a lot with them.”
Dubs also said that the day of the fire, the children’s bookbags were packed for school, they had snacks and signed papers ready for the next day.
“Those are not the actions of a careless mother,” Dubs said. “They are certainly not the actions of a mother planning to kill her children.”
Dubs said there was no motive for Greene to kill her children because there was no insurance policy on the children and there many family members who could aid with child care.
“They were healthy, normal children without any signs of abuse,” Dubs said.
Dubs said Friday that she may file a motion to submit statements made by Greene the day she was arrested.
Shanley stated that Greene told detectives she placed a blanket on fire outside the door to the children’s bedroom. The blanket caught the bookcase on fire and she then closed the door.
Shanley said Greene then went to sit in her recliner chair as the smoke began to build.
“Doing nothing to help these children,” Shanley said.
Shanley said Greene then went outside and waited, not expecting her neighbor’s dogs to start barking, which alerted Greene’s neighbor that was something was going on.
The neighbor called 911.
“Witnesses will say she did not make one move to get up and save her kids,” Shanley said. Shanley said Greene did ask for her car to be moved so it wouldn’t be burned in the fire.
Dubs said some of the statement’s Shanley was citing were made by Greene to deputies the same day she was arrested.
That was also the day she was preparing to attend her children’s funeral as well as using tranquilizers to stabilize her emotions. Dubs said the statements Greene may have made were done so under duress.
Dubs also said that when an attorney was contacted by Greene’s family, he was not allowed to sit in on the interview. Shanley said Greene never requested an attorney during the interview.
“Those statements are very suspect,” Dubs said. “She was called to the sheriff’s office the day that she was to start receiving (guests) for her children’s funeral.”-Michael Knox
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
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)