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Opening statements begin in Catawba Co. triple murder trial

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

NEWTON, N.C. — Opening statements began Tuesday in a triple murder trial in Catawba County.

After more than two weeks, prosecutors picked 12 jury members and two alternates for Everette Hewitt's trial.

He's accused of killing Wade Sigmon, Susan Blevins and Connie Miller at Oak Knoll Mobile Home Park in Conover in March, 2011. He is also accused of shooting Joseph Burke in the neck. Burke survived.

Hewitt, 37, turned down a plea deal last month because the judge couldn't guarantee a maximum 19-year prison sentence.

The state is pursuing the death penalty against him.

Prosecutor Kyle Smith told the jury that Sigmon, Miller and Blevins tried to defend themselves when they were shot inside the home south of Conover.

During opening statements, Smith explained the reason why Hewitt went to the home in the first place.

"'I shot them. I did it for money," Smith said. "'I shot them. I did it for the money.'"

Burke was able to call 911 and spoke to a dispatcher, who took the stand Tuesday morning.

Eyewitness News learned that after the killings, deputies found blood from the crime scene of some of Hewitt's clothes.

Hewitt's attorney, who admitted to the jury that Hewitt was at the house, said he didn't own the gun and wasn't the one who fire the weapon.

Instead, defense attorney Robert Campbell tried to cast doubt by suggesting that the person who drove Hewitt to the home, Harold Propst, may be involved.

Hewitt's attorney even told the jury that prosecutors wanted to charge Propst when they learned he wouldn't testify in the case.

"Ladies and gentleman the evidence will show this man right here doesn't believe Harold Propst and you shouldn't either," Campbell said.

The trial is expected to last a month.

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