I knew three people murdered in 2005. My friend Sandra’s father-in-law, my mother’s former boss’ husband and a girl I’d once gone to church with. The last of the trials ended yesterday.

The woman who killed Sandra’s father-in-law, a woman he’d married after the death of Sandra’s mother-in-law. She’d agreed to plea guilty but at the last minute refused to do so and was instead quickly found guilty of first degree murder. She’s currently serving life.

Terry Justus plead  to second degree murder in the death of Sharon “Sheri” Acosta. He was sentenced to thirty-five years with no chance for parole, a sentence he filed for relief from citing inadequate council. The courts turned him down so he filed an appeal to the Knox County Court of Appeals asking to set aside his plea and let him stand trial. They denied this request and he’s currently in prison.

The last of the trials ended yesterday when James “Mike” Flinn was found guilty of first degree murder in the death of Greig Beggs. The trial lasted for eight days and the state called more than fifty witnesses.  The jury was out for only a few hours before returning with their guilty verdict. I’m sure Mike will appeal from here to eternity but most likely he’ll do it from a jail cell…for life.