Jury re-examines evidence in Middletown murder trial

The jury asked to take another look at evidence in the murder trial of a Middletown man accused of beating someone to death.On the first day of deliberations, jurors in James Harris' murder trial asked

News 12 Staff

May 28, 2014, 8:58 PM

Updated 3,712 days ago

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The jury asked to take another look at evidence in the murder trial of a Middletown man accused of beating someone to death.On the first day of deliberations, jurors in James Harris' murder trial asked to see evidence that prosecutors say links him to the savage beating death of 46-year-old Franklin Fitts, of Yonkers. They asked to see autopsy reports and crime scene photos taken from Prince Street in Middletown. That location is where police say Fitts was bound to a chair and beaten before being stuffed in the trunk of his own car and dumped along First Street in Newburgh.
The prosecution contends that Fitts was killed in retaliation for drug debts owed to James Blagmon of Middletown. Blagmon has already been convicted in Fitts' murder. Prosecutors say Harris, who was a known drug associate of Blagmon's, was also involved.
Jurors also asked to hear testimony from three witnesses read back. Included was the transcript from Blagmon?s wife that said she helped cover up Fitts? murder and implicated both Blagmon and Harris.If convicted, Harris faces 50 years to life behind bars.
Related Information Fate of accused Middletown killer in hands of jury Jury reaches guilty verdict in Middletown beating death Jury deliberates in murder of man found in trunk


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