Laura Jean Ackerson -- Deceased 7/13/11 -- Grant and Amanda Hayes Charged With Murder

Wake prosecutor: Kinston woman's death was domestic violence

Posted: 1:19 p.m. - February 4, 20143
Updated: 2:48 p.m. - February 4, 2013

WRAL - Raleigh, NC





Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County prosecutors getting ready to try a Raleigh man and his wife in the 2011 murder of a Kinston woman say the crime was a case of domestic violence.

Snipped:

"Grant Hayes wanted to remove Laura Ackerson from his life," Assistant District Attorney Boz Zellinger told Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens Monday during a hearing to decide whether the couple should be prosecuted together when the case goes to trial May 20.

Stephens continued the hearing for 30 days to give attorneys for the Hayeses time to discuss their defense strategies and to decide whether
trying the couple together would be detrimental to their clients.


Read more:

Posted: 11:07 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2013
Updated: 11:10 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2013

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Raleigh couple will be tried together in murder case





Raleigh, N.C. — A Wake County Superior Court judge on Friday granted the state’s request to try a Raleigh married couple together in the 2011 murder of the husband’s ex-girlfriend.

Grant Ruffin Hayes, 33, and Amanda Perry Hayes, 40, are both charged with first-degree murder in the death of Laura Jean Ackerson, who was the mother of Grant’s two children.

The Kinston woman’s remains were found July 24, 2011, in a creek in Richmond, Texas – about 60 miles south of Houston – where Amanda Hayes' sister lives.

Snipped:

The trial is set for May 20.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/raleigh-couple-will-be-tried-together-in-murder-case/12169878/

I hope WRAL (Raleigh, NC) will stream this trial live!

They did an awesome job of streaming and archiving the Jason Young trial which so many watched at The Hinky Meter!

Trial date set for 5-20-13.

Today I sent an e-mail to Angie Basiouny, Web Editor with WRAL - Raleigh, NC, and inquired if WRAL plans to "Live" stream the Grant and Amanda Hayes trial which is scheduled for 5-20-13.

I received a prompt reply:

xxxxxx (my real name),

If we are allowed to have a camera in the courtroom, we will livestream the trial. I cannot guarantee that we will cover every day of it, but we'll at least be there for the opening.

Angie

Ackerson murder case hearing

A judge decides on whether Grant and Amanda Hayes will be tried together or separately in the murder of Laura Jean Ackerson.

Friday, March 1, 2013 - 10:08am

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Source:

http://www.wral.com/news/video/12169344/#/vid12169344

Couple in Ackerson murder case to be tried together

Friday, March 01, 2013

WTVD - Raleigh, NC


RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A judge decided Friday to try a couple together for the alleged killing of a Kinston mother.

Prosecutors had requested Grant Ruffin Haze, and his wife, Amanda Perry Haze, be tried together. The pair are charged with murder in connection with Laura Ackerson's death.

Ackerson's remains were found in Oyster Creek near Skinner Lane in Richmond, Texas July 2011. Identification was made through dental records days later. The 27-year-old was reported missing on July 18.

Read more and view video:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9011918

April 11, 2013

Suspect cites coercion by husband in Kinston woman's killing




Raleigh, N.C. — A Wake County Superior Court judge expressed concerned Thursday about trying a Raleigh couple together in their upcoming first-degree murder trial after more than two dozen pre-trial motions were filed this week.

Grant Ruffin Hayes, 33, and Amanda Perry Hayes, 40, are both charged with first-degree murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson, who was the mother of Grant's two children.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/suspect-says-she-was-coerced-by-husband-to-participate-in-kinston-woman-s-killing/12330603/

http://www.wral.com/news/local/asset_gallery/9925558/
WRAL - Raleigh, NC -- Current

WRAL.com archive: Laura Ackerson homicide

Judge to revisit joint murder trial for Raleigh couple

A Wake County Superior Court judge expressed concern Thursday about trying Grant and Amanda Hayes together in their upcoming first-degree murder trial after more than two dozen pre-trial motions were filed this week.

April 11, 2013 - 6:29pm

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Source:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/12332792/#/vid12332792
WRAL - Raleigh, NC
~~~~~

Per the above video, the trial is still scheduled to start 5/20/13. A hearing regarding the Motions filed this week will be held on 4/22/13.

Wake County judge to revisit whether to try Raleigh couple together on murder

Published: April 11, 2013


Amanda Perry Hayes stands in front of the Wake County Magistrate
on Monday, July 25, 2011. She and her husband Grant Ruffin Hayes
are charged with the murder of Grant's ex-girlfriend Laura Jean Ackerson.
Photo by: SHAWN ROCCO


By Anne Blythe
The News & Observer - Raleigh, NC

RALEIGH — A Wake County judge will reconsider whether to try a Raleigh couple together on accusations that they killed a Kinston woman whose body parts were pulled from a Texas creek in July 2011.

Snipped:

In a court document offering few details, Godwin contends that Grant Hayes sent an intimidating letter from the Wake County jail after his arrest in which he threatened to kill Amanda Hayes.

Godwin also provided a glimpse of the defense she plans to use, saying her client has an alibi for the time of Ackerson’s death, but was coerced into helping dispose of the body.

Snipped:

Judge Don Stephens plans to hold a hearing on April 22 after the concerns raised in Superior Court on Thursday.

Read more:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/04/11/2818336/wake-county-judge-to-revisit-whether.html

Couple could be tried seperately in Laura Ackerson murder

Updated at 09:12 PM - April 11, 2013

WTVD - Raleigh/Durham, NC



Grant and Amanda Hayes


Laura Jean Ackerson


RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The couple accused of killing Laura Ackerson may be tried separately.

Suspect Amanda Hayes has filed motions saying she has an alibi in the murder.

When neither of the Hayes' attorneys objected to a joint trial in March, the judge ruled their trial would start May 20.

However, the judge said the arraignment could change during the trial if one of the defendants should offer evidence the other feels is damaging to their case.

If that were to happen, the judge would have to decide which defendant would continue to be tried and which would be tried later.

Read more:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9062177
~~~~~~~

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/gallery?section=news/local&id=8266302&photo=1&pid=9062177
Laura Ackerson case -- Slideshow posted: Friday, July 22, 2011

Posted: 9:44 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Updated: 12:07 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013

WRAL - Raleigh, NC


Ex-boyfriend to be tried first in Ackerson murder

Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County prosecutors said Wednesday that they will try Grant Hayes first, followed by his wife, Amanda Hayes, in the death of his ex-girlfriend and the mother of two of his children.

His trial date is set for Aug. 26.

The Hayeses are each charged with first-degree murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson. They were to be tried together next month, but Judge Donald Stephens on Monday ordered separate trials.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/ex-boyfriend-to-be-tried-first-in-ackerson-murder/12375387/

Hayeses to get separate murder trials

A Superior Court judge in Wake County ordered separate trials Monday for Grant Hayes and his wife, Amanda Hayes,
who are both charged with first-degree murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson.


Source:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/12367628/#/vid12367628
WRAL - Raleigh, NC -- 4/22/13
~~~~~~~

Per this video, Amanda Hayes no longer has a court appointed attorney. She has hired a high profile criminal defense attorney.

Hayes pre-trial motions hearing, pt 1

Part 1 of an April 22, 2013, pre-trial motions hearing for Amanda Hayes and Grant Hayes, who are each charged with first-degree murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson.

Apr 22 - 1:05pm

Source:

http://www.wral.com/news/video/12366987/#/vid12366987
WRAL - Raleigh, NC -- 4/22/13

Hayes pre-trial motions hearing, pt 2

April 22, 2013, pre-trial motions hearing for Amanda Hayes and Grant Hayes,
who are each charged with first-degree murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson.

Apr 22 - 1:08pm

Source:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/12367845/#/vid12367845
WRAL - Raleigh, NC -- 4/22/13

A father seeks justice, grandchildren
His daughter, Laura Jean Ackerson, was murdered in 2011, allegedly by her ex-husband and his new wife

Ionia Sentinel - Standard
Ionia, MI

By Rosemary Horvath
Special to the Ionia Sentinel-Standard

Updated May. 17, 2013 @ 10:28 pm




Rodger Ackerson leafs through files
related to his daughter's murder.
Laura Ackerson was killed in 2011.
Her ex-husband and his new wife
have been charged in her murder.


LOWELL, Mich. --
The other day, Rodger Ackerson was handing notices to customers that he intends to temporarily close his busy Collector's Korner shop in Lowell's downtown historic district whenever he travels to Raleigh, North Carolina.

The trip isn't for pleasure. Instead, Ackerson will sit in a Raleigh courtroom witnessing the trial of Grant Hayes. Hayes and his wife, Amanda Perry Hayes, are accused of murdering and dismembering Ackerson's youngest daughter, Laura Jean Ackerson, in 2011.

Read more:

http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20130517/NEWS/130519506?refresh=true

Posted: 11:27 a.m. today
Updated: 2:28 p.m. today

WRAL - Raleigh, NC




Raleigh man pleads not guilty in ex-girlfriend's July 2011 slaying


Raleigh, N.C. — Defense attorneys for a Raleigh man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend have asked a Wake County judge to allow testimony in his upcoming trial about a statement his wife made in which she allegedly said she shoved the victim and “hurt her bad."

Snipped:

Hayes was arraigned Friday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to the crime. Jury selection in his trial is expected to begin Aug. 26.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/raleigh-man-pleads-not-guilty-in-ex-girlfriend-s-july-2011-slaying/12784305/

http://www.wncn.com/story/23158657/grant-hayes
WNCN - Raleigh, NC - 8/16/13

Grant Hayes pleads not guilty to killing Ackerman

Posted: Aug 16, 2013 3:08 PM CDT Updated: Aug 16, 2013 3:11 PM CDT
by WNCN Staff

Snipped:

In court Friday, Grant Hayes' habit of singing and talking to himself was discussed, but his defense attorney said "it was just weird," but not incriminating.

Judge Donald Stephens told the attorneys that in jury selection they will conduct questionnaires that will make sure the jurors don't have an opinion in this case.

View video and article:


http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9208746
WTVD - Raleigh-Durham, NC  - 8/16/13 -- Updated at 01:02 PM today

Pre-trial motions begin in Grant Hayes murder trial

Trial strategy revealed in Grant Hayes murder case

Friday, August 16, 2013

WTVD - Raleigh /Durham.NC


RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A Raleigh man accused of murdering the mother of his two children and cutting up her body is apparently going to claim his wife did the killing.

The new information came out during a pre-trial hearing for Grant Hayes at the Wake County Justice Center Friday afternoon.

Grant Hayes' attorneys want his sister-in-law to testify and say it was Grant's wife, Amanda, who killed Laura Ackerson.


Read more & view video:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9208746

Posted: 8:46 p.m. - August 25, 2013
Updated: 9:10 p.m. - August 25, 2013

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Raleigh man goes to trial in ex-girlfriend's murder

Raleigh, N.C. — Jury selection is expected to begin Monday in the trial of a Raleigh man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and the mother of two of his children.

Grant Ruffin Hayes, 34, faces a first-degree murder charge in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson, 27, whose dismembered body was found in a creek in Richmond, Texas – about 60 miles south of Houston.

Snipped:

Grant Hayes' trial is expected to last several weeks. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/raleigh-man-goes-to-trial-in-ex-girlfriend-s-murder/12816479/

I just called WRAL - Raleigh, NC and spoke to a Director/Manager.  She said WRAL will stream the trial "live" when testimony begins.

The trial starts today with jury selection and they are not allowed to "stream" that part of the trial.

She said they plan to archive at the end of the day/evening.

I am glad that WRAL will stream this trial live. As this case broke in TX and divers from the greater Houston area searched the murky waters of Oyster Creek near Richmond, TX (for the body parts of Laura Jean Ackerson), all of the Houston mainstream media were on location and gave continuous updates.

After the case investigation concluded in TX and the investigation continued with NC law enforcement in NC, there has been limited info reported in TX. As in TX, I assume the details will be testified to at trial.

I think WRAL does an exceptional job of "live streaming" and archiving.

I watched the Jason Young murder trial in 2012 via WRAL "live stream." Exceptional coverage and I really do like Judge Stephens who was the presiding judge in the Young trial and is the presiding judge in Grant Hayes' trial.

Special thanks to WRAL!  You are the best!

http://www.wral.com/
WRAL - Raleigh, NC -- Homepage

I just might have to follow this trial.

One Wonders wrote:I just might have to follow this trial.

I was thinking that, too, One!

And thanks so much to Ann - Tx for all the updates!  

This trial will be fascinating! Thanks so much Ann - TX for keeping this thread updated!

I think this will be a very interesting trial. I intend to watch it. Because of other obligations (at times), I'll have to watch some of the archived testimony. Great that it will be archived.

Nan11 and ishi, re the updates, you are welcome.

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Posted: 8:46 p.m. yesterday
Updated: 1:44 p.m. today - 8/26/13

Raleigh man goes to trial in ex-girlfriend's murder

Raleigh, N.C. — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a Raleigh man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and the mother of two of his children.

Snipped:

Attorneys anticipate that jury selection will last several days and that Grant Hayes' trial will last several weeks. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Amanda Hayes, 41, is also charged with first-degree murder in the crime and is expected to go to trial in January.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/raleigh-man-goes-to-trial-in-ex-girlfriend-s-murder/12816479/

Juror selection begins for Raleigh man accused of killing ex-girlfriend

By: Caroline Blair  
News14 Carolina - Charlotte, NC

August 26,2013


RALEIGH — Jury selection began Monday in the trial against Grant Hayes, 33, the man accused of murdering and dismembering the mother of his children.

With a big smile on his face, Triangle area musician Grant Hayes walked into a Wake County Courtroom ready to start jury selection for the murder of his former girlfriend and mother of his children, Laura Ackerson, 27, of Kinston.

Snipped:

Grant Hayes is also asking that Amanda and her sister testify in his trial, a decision Judge Stephens will make once it's underway.

Jury selection for Grant Hayes' trial is expected to last a few days.

Read more:

http://charlotte.news14.com/content/news/triangle/698836/juror-selection-begins-for-raleigh-man-accused-of-killing-ex-girlfriend

WRAL - Raleigh, NC

Posted: 8:46 p.m. yesterday
Updated: 48 minutes ago - August 26, 2013


Raleigh man goes to trial in ex-girlfriend's murder




Grant Ruffin Hayes winks at a friend during jury selection in his
first-degree murder trial on Aug. 26, 2013. Hayes is accused of
killing his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his two sons, Laura Ackerson, in July 2011.


Raleigh, N.C. — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a Raleigh man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and the mother of two of his children.

Read more:

http://www.wral.com/raleigh-man-goes-to-trial-in-ex-girlfriend-s-murder/12816479/

OK I hate him already. What a scumbag! Hope that smile and wink disappears when he hears guilty from the jury.

Per video report, numerous potential jurors questioned but no one seated on jury yet.  Reporter thinks opening statements/testimony might start by the end of this week.
~~~~~

First trial in Laura Ackerson murder case begins

Monday, August 26, 2013

WTVD - Raleigh - Durham, NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) --  Prosecutors and defense attorneys began picking jurors Monday in the trial of a Raleigh man accused of murdering the mother of his two children and cutting up her body.

Read more & view video:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9219428

Father seeks justice for slain daughter: “I want to see Mr. Hayes convicted. Laura deserves that.”

By Rosemary Horvath
Special to Ionia Sentinel-Standard  - Ionia, MI

Posted Aug. 26, 2013 @ 9:16 pm


LOWELL, Mich.   —  
Inside his downtown Lowell shop, Rodger Ackerson read a news clipping copied from the Aug. 17 issue of the Raleigh N.C. News Observer.

He silently read it to himself several times, deeply concentrating.

Snipped:

“I totally expect it,” Ackerson said learning of the finger pointing. “They can point a finger at each other attempting to create a reasonable doubt. As far as I’m concerned they are both guilty. You can’t drive 1,200 miles and ask your sister where to dump a body.”

Testimony revealed that Amanda Perry Hayes' sister who resides in Richmond, Texas helped the couple dispose of Laura’s remains. The body parts were discovered in a creek near the sister’s home at the time. Investigators believe that Laura’s body was hacked into pieces, stored in large coolers and towed in a rented trailer to Texas from North Carolina.

Read more:

http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20130826/NEWS/130829546

ishi wrote:OK I hate him already. What a scumbag! Hope that smile and wink disappears when he hears guilty from the jury.

Yup.  ^^^ What Ishi said!  ^^^  

Ann - Tx wrote:
Father seeks justice for slain daughter: “I want to see Mr. Hayes convicted. Laura deserves that.”

By Rosemary Horvath
Special to Ionia Sentinel-Standard  - Ionia, MI

Posted Aug. 26, 2013 @ 9:16 pm


LOWELL, Mich.   —  
Inside his downtown Lowell shop, Rodger Ackerson read a news clipping copied from the Aug. 17 issue of the Raleigh N.C. News Observer.

He silently read it to himself several times, deeply concentrating.

Snipped:

“I totally expect it,” Ackerson said learning of the finger pointing. “They can point a finger at each other attempting to create a reasonable doubt. As far as I’m concerned they are both guilty. You can’t drive 1,200 miles and ask your sister where to dump a body.”

Testimony revealed that Amanda Perry Hayes' sister who resides in Richmond, Texas helped the couple dispose of Laura’s remains. The body parts were discovered in a creek near the sister’s home at the time. Investigators believe that Laura’s body was hacked into pieces, stored in large coolers and towed in a rented trailer to Texas from North Carolina.

Read more:

http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20130826/NEWS/130829546

BBM - But no charges?  

I read late yesterday that Amanda Perry Hayes has not been named as a witness for this trial.  I thought for sure she was going to turn on him, or at least try to diminish her part in it by putting it all on him--but maybe she discovered that wasn't working so well.

They are saying that jury selection could be completed as early as Wednesday, with maybe opening statements beginning Thursday or Friday!

According to the video, he is now planning on saying that he helped dispose of Laura's body--but his current wife Amanda committed the murder.

Here is the article, but I don't think the above is mentioned in the actual write-up.
_________________________

ABC Local WTVD | Grant Hayes jury selection continues

Updated at 06:34 PM today

Prosecutors and defense attorneys continue to pick jurors Tuesday in the trial of a Raleigh man accused of murdering the mother of his two children and cutting up her body.

The trial of Grant Hayes - aka Grant Haze - is expected to last several weeks.

...{Snipped}...

So far, 12 jurors have been picked by the prosecution. If the defense strikes any of the jurors already picked by the prosecution, and that is likely, then the process of picking those replacements will begin again.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9219428

Nan, thanks for the update. I've been gone most of today and appreciate this update.

You're welcome, Ann!

I just came across the following write up at Kinston.com.  It's two pages, and a bit on the third, on the jury selection--up-to-date until yesterday.

It gives a good idea as to the make-up of the jury and their occupations, etc.
______________________________

Jury selection moves into third day
By Wes Wolfe / Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 00:37 AM.

RALEIGH — With two days completed in the trial of Grant Ruffin Hayes, the 12 people who will decide his fate have yet to be named.

...{Snipped}...

With the addition of two additional new jurors, there are an equal number of men and women in the jury box, along with two military veterans.

...{Snipped}...

Jurors No. 3 and 5 replied they have Army combat experience — No. 3 in Vietnam, and No. 5 in Afghanistan — and said they had experience in graphic imagery.

Each of the seven jurors questioned by the defense, though, said they would be able to seek a verdict without being profoundly affected by evidence presented.

...{Snipped}...

When the defense got to Juror No. 7, Durham attempted to strike him from the jury for cause because the juror has education in biblical counseling and expressed skepticism for psychology and the science behind it.

...{Snipped}...

When court reconvenes today, the defense will finish questioning of the final four jurors and recommend people to strike from the jury.

Jury selection resumes at 9:30 a.m. today at the Wake County Justice Center.

http://www.kinston.com/news/local/jury-selection-moves-into-third-day-1.193871?page=1

Wow, Nan . . . you are awesome! Thanks so much for the above Link. Great find!

I kept an eye on Wes Wolfe's Twitter page today.  I find he does a good job.  I'm sure he will do a write up on today's events, but I'll post a screen cap of a few of his tweets.  There are quite a few more at the link.

(The top tweet in my screen cap was his last one for today.)

 https://twitter.com/WolfeReports

WRAL | Opening statements likely Thursday in Raleigh murder trial
Updated: 6:18 p.m. today

Raleigh, N.C. — Opening statements could start as early as Thursday in the trial of a Raleigh man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend two years ago, chopping up her body and disposing of her remains in a Texas creek.

Defense attorneys and Wake County prosecutors had chosen 12 jurors and one alternate juror Wednesday afternoon in the case against Grant Ruffin Hayes – who along with his wife, Amanda Perry Hayes – is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2011 death of Laura Jean Ackerson.

Two alternate jurors still need to be seated.

http://www.wral.com/opening-statements-likely-thursday-in-raleigh-murder-trial/12828191/
_________________________

Opening statements possibly tomorrow!  Ever hopeful for a live feed.  

Jury selection moves into third day

By Wes Wolfe / Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 00:37 AM.

RALEIGH — With two days completed in the trial of Grant Ruffin Hayes, the 12 people who will decide his fate have yet to be named.

Hayes is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of former Kinston resident Laura Jean Ackerson in July 2011.

Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens allowed two jurors to be excused Tuesday morning for personal reasons, putting new jurors in seats No. 6 and 12. State prosecutors finished their questions for prospective jurors, as well, asking jurors No. 5 and 10 to be released from their obligations.

With the addition of two additional new jurors, there are an equal number of men and women in the jury box, along with two military veterans.

As defense attorney Will Durham cycled through his questions, he asked prospective jurors if they would have a problem looking at images of Ackerson’s dismembered body or autopsy photos.

Read more:

http://www.kinston.com/news/local/jury-selection-moves-into-third-day-1.193871

12 jurors seated in trial of alleged Laura Ackerson killer

Ackerson dismembered in 2011, Hayes pleaded not guilty

By WCTI Staff

POSTED: 2:33 PM Aug 16 2013 UPDATED: 6:49 PM Aug 28 2013


RALEIGH, WAKE COUNTY - Twelve jurors have been seated in the trial of a Raleigh man accused of killing a young Lenoir County mother and dismembering her body.

Testimonies are expected to begin Thursday at the Wake County Justice Center in the trial of 33-year-old Grant Ruffin Hayes (above left). Hayes has pleaded not guilty in the murder of 27-year-old Laura Jean Ackerson, of Kinston (above right). The trial is expected to last for several weeks.

Grant Hayes' attorneys said they want his sister-in-law to testify that it was Grant's wife, 41-year-old Amanda Perry Hayes, who killed Ackerson.


Amanda Hayes has also been charged with first-degree murder.

Both Grant and Amanda Hayes are charged with first-degree murder in Ackerson's death. Amanda's trial is expected to start on Jan. 20, 2014.


Laura Ackerson, pictured here with her children. The Kinston woman's remains were found in Texas in July 2011.

Ackerson was reported missing from her Kinston home on July 15, 2011. Her dismembered body was found nine days later in Oyster Creek in Richmond, Texas.

Read more:

http://www.wcti12.com/news/couple-accused-of-murdering-lenoir-co-mom-attends-pretrial-hearing/-/13530444/21498702/-/8g88m5/-/index.html

WRAL - Raleigh, NC is suppose to "live stream" the trial starting with opening statements.

"Live stream" might start tomorrow.  If so, here is the Link to WRAL's homepage.  You should be able to click on from there like in the Jason Young trial (if you watched the Young trial last year) .

http://www.wral.com/
WRAL - Raleigh, NC -- Homepage


If you are not from NC, don't forget . . . EDT.  

For example:  9 am EDT/8 am CDT

Here's a link to a time zone map:

http://www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml
Time/temp map - United States Time Zone Map

Thanks, Ann - Tx!  I really appreciate that.

You know, I didn't realize the Jason Young trial was being live streamed.  I just Googled it to be sure of the case you were mentioning, and I remember it from HLN coverage--but I didn't watch the trial.  (I'm glad they convicted him.)

I have watched other trials via live stream, though.  If a link is available, I'll find it.  

Note: Kinston.com is the online version of the Kinston Free Press, a daily newspaper, located in Kinston, NC.  


Jury impaneled in Hayes murder trial

By  Wes Wolfe / Staff Writer
Kinston.com- Kinston,NC

Published: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 21:41 PM.


With those three words, Jeff Cutler — defense attorney for Grant Ruffin Hayes — closed the door on three long days of jury selection in Hayes' trial for allegedly murdering his ex-girlfriend, former Kinston resident Laura Jean Ackerson.

Early Wednesday morning, the defense asked for Jurors No. 1, 3, 5 and 7 to be excused from duty, and they needed to be replaced. Juror No. 1 had a son active in Wake County law, Jurors No. 3 and 5 had Army combat experience and Juror No. 7 had religious objections to the practice of psychology.

All were white males.

Read multi-page article:

http://www.kinston.com/news/local/jury-impaneled-in-hayes-murder-trial-1.194301?tc=cr

Just In: After four days of jury selection, attorneys are expected to deliver opening statements at 11:30 a.m. in the trial of Grant Hayes, a Raleigh man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, Laura Ackerson, chopping up her body and disposing of her remains in a Texas creek.

THis from WRAL.com

http://www.wral.com/news/video/12826677/#/vid12826677

The above should take you to a live stream of the trial from WRAL.  They are currently saying the live event has not yet started.

Maybe we can meet in chat when it starts?

Here's another link that doesn't freeze like the wral one:  

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/livenow?id=9223333

The video and audio are often out of sync, but at least it doesn't freeze!