The attorney for the wife of the convicted killer of Laura Jean Ackerson said new evidence should clear his client.
Amanda Perry Hayes faces a first-degree murder charge for allegedly working with her husband, Grant Ruffin Hayes III, to kill Ackerson in 2011. Ackerson, a former Kinston resident, was the mother to two of Grant Hayes’ children.
Johnny Gaskins, Amanda Hayes’ attorney, filed a motion Monday in Wake County Superior Court for the forensic examination of a biohazard suit and gloves recently discovered in her Dodge Durango, according to a report by WRAL.
Gaskins said in a Thursday hearing he intends to prove the suit and gloves go to Amanda Hayes’ defense that Grant Hayes was solely responsible for the homicide.
A call to Gaskins’ office Thursday wasn’t returned as of press time.
Amanda Hayes’ sister testified in Grant Hayes’ trial Amanda indicated to her Grant pressured Amanda to participate in dismembering Ackerson’s body and disposing of the remains in a creek by the sister’s residence near Richmond, Texas.
State prosecutors have until Monday to respond to the motion, and the judge will render a ruling afterward.
Amanda Hayes, who pled not guilty, is scheduled to go on trial for the murder charge Jan. 20 at the Wake County Justice Center.
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 and Wes.Wolfe@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.