PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- An appeals court has upheld the conviction of a murderer.
In March 2010, Kara Garvin was found guilty of murdering three people in Franklin Furnace, Ohio in September 2008.
Following the guilty verdicts in the deaths of Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett, Garvin was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In October, The Fourth District Court of Appeals in Ohio heard an appeal of the conviction. Recently, the court ruled, upholding the conviction.
There were several points that Garvin and her attorney were appealing, including being denied a change of venue and not questioning a juror about her relationship with a county official.
UPDATE: 3/31/10
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Convicted of triple murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Kara Garvin was calm and matter-of-fact when she sat down Wednesday for an in depth interview with WSAZ.com’s Randy Yohe.
Garvin, 30, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, said she’s appealing the verdict and believes she will be free one day.
She said she was not at Ed Mollett’s home the night of the murder in December 2008 when he, his wife Juanita and their daughter Christina all were shot to death in their Franklin Furnace home.
Garvin says that she and Ed were friends and longtime drug dealing partners. She says a witness who was only 6 years old when he witnessed the shootings was coached to lie. She said the rest of the prosecution’s case was 16 months of prepared lies. She said she doesn’t know who killed the Molletts.
She said she more devastated at the verdict than sentencing, saying life in prison or death was not a concern. After serving 16 months in jail before the trial, she said she was hardened to whatever punishment came.
Garvin says these past 16 months were both the worst and the best times of her life -- the best because it was the first time since she was a pre-teen that she wasn’t addicted to alcohol or drugs. She said it was the first extended time of a sober life.
Garvin explained that she had a $3,000 a day OxyContin habit. She said she lived a life of drugs and crime, but not murder.
Garvin says the worst thing will not being with her 12-year-old daughter as she grows up. Garvin soon will head to the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville. That's where she will serve out her life without mercy prison sentence.
UPDATE at 9pm Wednesday 3/24
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Kara Garvin, who was found guilty earlier this month of three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett, has been sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
That verdict in the penalty phase of Garvin's trial was announced just minutes ago in Scioto County Common Pleas Court. The death penalty was another option Garvin potentially faced.
On two of the murder counts, Garvin was sentenced to life without possibility of parole, while on the third, she was sentenced to be eligible for parole in 25 years. This essentially means Garvin will spend the rest of her life in prison.
Garvin, 30, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, was convicted of killing the Mollett family in December 2008. All three were shot to death in their Franklin Furnace home.
The jury sentenced her to life without the possibility of parole for the murders of Christina and Juanita and life with the possibility of parole after 25 years for killing Ed Mollett.
Garvin's mother remains adamant that Kara did not commit these crimes. She says she's thankful that her daughter avoided the death penalty and says they plan to appeal.
UPDATE Wednesday 3/24
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A jury is now deciding whether Kara Garvin should be put to death or get life in prison.
Court officials say that the penalty phase of Garvin's triple murder case went to the jury at 11:45 Wednesday morning.
Earlier this month, a jury found Garvin guilty of murdering Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett.
All were shot to death inside their Franklin Furnace home in December 2008.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.
UPDATE at 1:15pm Tuesday 3/23
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- She has already been found guilty of murdering three people, now a jury must decide if Kara Garvin should get the death penalty for the crime.
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- She has already been found guilty of murdering three people, now a jury must decide if Kara Garvin should get the death penalty for the crime.
Earlier this month a jury in Scioto County, Ohio convicted Garvin of the murders of Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett.
All were shot to death inside their Franklin Furnace home in December 2008.
The sentencing phase of the trial began Tuesday morning in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
Following opening statements, Kara Garvin’s sister took the witness stand.
The death penalty is one sentencing option for the aggravated murder convictions. The others are life in prison without parole, life imprisonment with a chance for parole in 25 years and life imprisonment with a chance for parole in 30 years.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.
UPDATE at 7:55pm Wednesday 3/10
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A jury has found Kara Garvin guilty of aggravated murder in the deaths of Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett.
The verdict was returned late Wednesday evening after the jury had deliberated for several hours both Tuesday and Wednesday in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
Garvin, 30, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, faced 15 criminal counts, led by three count of aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett. All were shot to death inside their Franklin Furnace home in December 2008.
The death penalty is a sentencing option for the aggravated murder convictions.
The others are life in prison without parole, life imprisonment with a chance for parole in 25 years and life imprisonment with a chance for parole in 30 years.
Among key testimony during the trial was an account from a 7-year-old boy who witnessed the shootings (he was 6 at the time), as well as details from a jail inmate who said Garvin admitted to killing three people.
We will have much more on this breaking story, including information about the penalty phase of the trial. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
UPDATE 8pm Tuesday 3/9
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The jury in Kara Garvin's triple murder trial deliberated nearly eight hours Tuesday.
Jurors were sequestered Tuesday evening in a Portsmouth hotel by the judge, and deliberations will resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The trial is taking place in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
Garvin, 30, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, faces 15 criminal counts, led by three count of aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett. All were shot to death inside their Franklin Furnace home in December 2008.
The jury is now only deciding guilt or innocence. If Garvin is found guilty, then the penalty phase of the trial will begin.
The death penalty is one of four sentencing options. The others are life in prison without parole, life imprisonment with a chance for parole in 25 years and life imprisonment with a chance for parole in 30 years.
We will continue following this story closely Wednesday. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
UPDATE Tuesday 3/9 10:45am
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A Scioto County jury is now deliberating Kara Garvin's fate.
The jury got the triple murder case around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday.
Court began with the judge reading 44 pages of instructions to the six-man and six-woman jury.
Garvin faces 15 counts including aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary.
She could face the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder charges.
Prosecutors say that Garvin, 30, shot to death Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett at their home in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, four days before Christmas in 2008. The three were shot at close range with a 6-year-old in the room at the time.
Garvin turned herself into sheriff's deputies several hours after the shooting.
The trial is taking place in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.
UPDATE from 6pm Newscast Monday 3/8
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Kara Garvin's triple murder case will be headed to the jury Tuesday in Scioto County.
Closing arguments wrapped up Monday.
If Garvin is found guilty, then the jury will have to decide whether the death penalty is appropriate.
If she's found guilty of aggravated murder, new court proceedings will begin to determine if she's deserves the death penalty.
We will continue to follow this case closely here at WSAZ.com. Keep checking back for the latest updates.
UPDATE Monday 3/8
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The defense rested its case in Kara Garvin’s triple murder trial Monday morning.
Garvin's attorney called only one witness before resting.
Closing arguments took place Monday afternoon.
The judge decided to wait until Tuesday morning to begin jury deliberations.
He told the jury to be sure and pack an overnight bag.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
UPDATE Thursday 3/4
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) - The prosecution rested its case in Kara Garvin’s triple murder trial Thursday afternoon.
The defense is scheduled to begin its case on Monday.
There is no court on Friday.
UPDATE Wednesday 3/3
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A fellow jail inmate says Kara Garvin told her that she shot and killed three people.
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A fellow jail inmate says Kara Garvin told her that she shot and killed three people.
That was among key testimony during Garvin's trial Wednesday. In addition, the defendant's boyfriend says he fled in fear after the shooting but didn't know anything.
Those were the highlights as the triple murder case continued in Portsmouth.
The trial is expected to last at least through next week.
UPDATE Tuesday 3/2
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Kara Garvin, the defendant in a triple murder case, was identified Tuesday in court -- picked out by the only eyewitness to the crime.
That eyewitness is now 7 years old, but was just 6 when his grandparents and aunt were murdered right in front of his eyes.
Garvin is now on trial in a potential death penalty case. Prosecutors say the 30-year-old Garvin shot and killed Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett in December 2008 at their Frankln Furnace, Ohio, home.
Police say drugs were involved.
The grandson's identification of Garvin may mean life or death for her. Although the judge would not permit us to show the boy, he granted permission to use his voice as he testified.
The child did not hesitate in naming Garvin as the shooter. Prosecutor Pat Apel then asked the boy how the shooter got into to his grandparents' home.
The child replied that Garvin "busted the door" in and was wearing a camouflage vest "with guns and knives."
The boy testified that the shooter took a wallet and some pills from Ed Mollett's body and that he was being hidden under his Aunt Christina, who also was shot and killed that December night.
Garvin's lawyer asked the boy if his mother or others had mentioned Garvin a lot before he picked the defendant out of a lineup. The boy said no.
The state medical examiner also testified as to what was left in Ed Mollett's pockets -- $59 worth of $1 bills, a pill crusher and pill bottles and bags with dozens -- maybe hundreds of pills -- mostly OxyContin.
Garvin faces 18 felony counts in this trial, including aggravated murder and robbery and theft of drugs -- all coming from an indictment that specifies the death penalty.
UPDATE Monday 3/1
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Testimony is underway in the trial of a Franklin Furnace woman charged with murdering three people in December 2008.
The slain trio were husband and wife Ed and Juanita
Mollett, and their daughter Christina.
Mollett, and their daughter Christina.
Kara Garvin, 30, faces 18 criminal counts, including aggravated murder and burglary, drug theft and tampering with evidence.
Garvin could face the death penalty if convicted.
Testimony began late Monday morning, following opening arguments.
The trial is taking place in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
In opening arguments, prosecutors said there is strong DNA evidence against the accused. They said Paul Balmer. an associate of the Garvins,' would testify as to her guilt, and that Kara Garvin was picked out of a lineup by the Mollett's 6-year-old eyewitness grandson, who ran to a neighbor's home and called 911 while covered in blood.
Defense attorneys said the evidence would show the DNA findings were incomplete, and that Balmer fled to Florida after the crime while Garvin turned herself in and claimed innocence.
Garvin's lawyers said the Molletts were local OxyContin users and distributors, and their murders were planned by a Cuban drug dealer from Florida. He reportedly was attempting to take over the Mollett's OxyContin trafficking empire they had so long possessed.
The Mollett's grandson eyewitness,now 7, is expected to testify, as is Balmer.
The trial may last up to three weeks.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.
UPDATE 2/26
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A jury has been selected in Kara Garvin's triple murder trial.
Opening arguments in the case are expected to begin Monday morning.
The jury was selected late Thursday afternoon. The process began on Monday.
The Franklin Furnace woman is charged with murdering three people in December 2008.
Garvin could face the death penalty if convicted of the murders.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.
UPDATE from 6pm 2/19/10
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Jury selection finally got underway Friday in Portsmouth in the death penalty trial against Kara Garvin.
The Franklin Furnace woman is charged with murdering three people in December 2008.
The judge issued a gag order to lawyers on both sides, no talking to the media, in hopes of not influencing any pre-trial publicity. He want’s to get an impartial jury selected, which is no easy task in a possible death penalty case.
The 30-year-old Garvin faces 18 criminal counts, including aggravated murder and burglary, drug theft and tampering with evidence.
Her attorneys specialize in the death penalty defense. Investigators say on Dec. 22, 2008, Garvin shot and killed Ed Mollett, his wife Juanita and daughter Christina at the couple's Snook Road home. The sheriff said drugs were involved.
The Mollett's 6-year-old grandson was in the trailer, witnessed the crime and ran to a neighbor's home to call 911.
Due to the gag order, we don't know if the child will testify during the trial.
We do know jury selection in this case could last until late next week. The trial itself could last up to three weeks.
Garvin also faces attempted murder and robbery charges from an earlier 2008 incident involving other members of the Mollett family.
UPDATE 2/19/10
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) – Jury selection is under way for the woman charged in the murders of three people in Scioto County.
Prosecutors say that Kara Garvin, 30, shot to death Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett at their home in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, four days before Christmas in 2008. The three were shot at close range with a 6-year-old in the room at the time.
Garvin turned herself into sheriff's deputies several hours after the shooting.
The trial is taking place in Scioto County Common Pleas Court. Jury selection began Friday is and expected to go into next week. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
Garvin faces 18 counts, including aggravated murder and aggravated robbery.
She is could face the death penalty.
She is could face the death penalty.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information
UPDATE 5/4
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) --The woman charged with murdering three people in Franklin Furnace back in December will stand trial on the charges in November.
A Scioto County judge set a November 2 trial date for Kara Garvin on Monday.
The trial is expected to last several weeks.
UPDATE: 3/19 1:45am
Kara Garvin was back in Scioto County Common Pleas Court for a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.
Kara Garvin was back in Scioto County Common Pleas Court for a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.
Court officials did not have nay information on the hearing, but did say a trial date has not been set.
ORIGINAL STORY
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The woman charged in the murders of three people in Scioto County last month was in court Friday afternoon.
Investigators in the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office say that Kara Garvin shot to death Ed, Juanita and Christina Mollett at their home in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, four days before Christmas. The three were shot at close range with a 6-year-old in the room at the time.
Deputies also say that Garvin’s live-in boyfriend, Paul Balmer, waited in a vehicle while Garvin killed the three.
Garvin turned herself into sheriff's deputies several hours after the shooting.
Balmer, who was wanted for questioning, fled to Florida where he was arrested several days later on a unrelated drug charge.
Last week, a grand jury indicted Garvin on three counts of aggravated murder. She was also indicted on attempted murder, aggravated robbery, and burglary charges from a November incident against other members of the Mollett family. Balmer was also indicted on the same attempted murder, robbery and burglary charges against Daniel and Barb Mollett.
During Friday’s hearing, Garvin pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The judge appointed two attorneys to represent her. He says both men are qualified to handle death penalty cases.
Garvin was denied bond on the murder charges. She remains in the Scioto County Jail. No new court date was set.
Paul Balmer was returned to Portsmouth last weekend. Prosecutors say they are still looking at possible charges against him related to the murders.
