By David in TN

Previously: Never Heard of the Pearcy Massacre? One Guess Why Not!; and

“Don’t Raise Your Voice at Me!” [Click!] “Read a Law Book!” [Click!]—A Pearcy Massacre Update

Death penalty not sought in Pearcy slaying of five [Paid registration required.]

Garland County prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Samuel Conway, one of two Hot Springs men charged with capital murder in the November 2009 slaying of five people in Pearcy.

Presumably, the “crazy card” has already worked.

Jury Selection Begins for Conway

Jury selection for the trial of Samuel Lee Conway began today. Conway and Jeremy Pickney are charged with the murder of an entire family and the son’s girlfriend in Pearcy, Arkansas, in 2009. Conway's trial began on Tuesday.

Investigators say they murdered Edward Gentry Jr., his wife Pam Gentry, their son Jeremy Gentry and his girlfriend Kristyn Warneke, and then set their home on fire.

The two also are charged with killing Edward Gentry Sr. in a nearby home. A third suspect, Marvin Stringer, was shot and killed by police.

Pickney’s trial was also scheduled to begin Tuesday but has been postponed. No explanation was given.

N.S.: Just because a black man who has confessed to mass and serial murder won’t get the death penalty, does not mean that the county prosecutor won’t seek the ultimate sanction against some white desperado for, say, the heinous crime of spitting on the sidewalk.