Kathy Pinna
Mother of murdered woman has compassion for men who killed her daughter
Published April 13, 2009 Updated on April 30, 2009 by Lindsay English
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - It has been almost three years since prosecutors say two men shot and killed a Louisville mother and left her then two-year-old daughter to die. Monday, the men on trial for that murder were convicted by a Jefferson County jury. Prosecutors told the jury Kenneth Williams and James Quisenberry were in Earon Harper's home that day in May to buy prescriptions drugs, but then they decided to rob her. It was that decision that led to the shooting that left Harper dead and Erica Hughes clinging to life until police themselves rushed her to the hospital.
One question lingered throughout the trial - who was the triggerman that day? Prosecutors did not have to prove who it was, and in closing arguments, they said it did not matter. "What was all of this for?" asked prosecutor Jon Heck in closing arguments. "For this garbage? The stuff that was taken from her house? These IDs, these pill bottles. That's what this crime was for? This is how much value they put on her life and the life of her child?"
After nearly four hours of deliberation, the verdicts spoke for themselves. Williams was found guilty of Earon's murder, the attempted murder of Erica, robbery, assault and tampering with physical evidence. Quisenberry was found guilty of manslaughter in the second degree, facilitation to criminal attempted murder, robbery, assault and tampering with physical evidence. "I'm glad that justice is going to be done but as far as the rest of it, there is no winners in this case," said Judith Harper, Earon's mother, after the verdicts were read. She reacted calmly and with compassion for the loved ones of the defendants. "Their families are hurting. Their families couldn't help what they did no more than I could help what Earon did."
Harper says even though this long process has been difficult she has to remain strong for Erica and Erica's 3-year-old sister. "At home, I can't be crying and this and that about stuff 'cause my kids will say, 'Granny? What's a matter? Are you crying for Honey?' And I can't be going through all that," Harper said. Harper said if Quisenberry and Williams offer an apology, she would accept it. "If they have it in them to say they wish they had never went on Wilson Avenue, yes, I'd like to hear them say that."
As for whether the men have remorse, Harper believes they do now. "Probably with what they are facing, they probably have remorse. I'd say so. Probably when they walked the streets for 16 months, they probably had none. But today, I would think they do," she said. A sentencing hearing was set for 10 a.m. Tuesday. Williams could face the death penalty. Quisenberry, because he is a persistent felony offender, is eligible for life in prison.
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - It has been almost three years since prosecutors say two men shot and killed a Louisville mother and left her then two-year-old daughter to die. Monday, the men on trial for that murder were convicted by a Jefferson County jury. Prosecutors told the jury Kenneth Williams and James Quisenberry were in Earon Harper's home that day in May to buy prescriptions drugs, but then they decided to rob her. It was that decision that led to the shooting that left Harper dead and Erica Hughes clinging to life until police themselves rushed her to the hospital.
One question lingered throughout the trial - who was the triggerman that day? Prosecutors did not have to prove who it was, and in closing arguments, they said it did not matter. "What was all of this for?" asked prosecutor Jon Heck in closing arguments. "For this garbage? The stuff that was taken from her house? These IDs, these pill bottles. That's what this crime was for? This is how much value they put on her life and the life of her child?"
After nearly four hours of deliberation, the verdicts spoke for themselves. Williams was found guilty of Earon's murder, the attempted murder of Erica, robbery, assault and tampering with physical evidence. Quisenberry was found guilty of manslaughter in the second degree, facilitation to criminal attempted murder, robbery, assault and tampering with physical evidence. "I'm glad that justice is going to be done but as far as the rest of it, there is no winners in this case," said Judith Harper, Earon's mother, after the verdicts were read. She reacted calmly and with compassion for the loved ones of the defendants. "Their families are hurting. Their families couldn't help what they did no more than I could help what Earon did."
Harper says even though this long process has been difficult she has to remain strong for Erica and Erica's 3-year-old sister. "At home, I can't be crying and this and that about stuff 'cause my kids will say, 'Granny? What's a matter? Are you crying for Honey?' And I can't be going through all that," Harper said. Harper said if Quisenberry and Williams offer an apology, she would accept it. "If they have it in them to say they wish they had never went on Wilson Avenue, yes, I'd like to hear them say that."
As for whether the men have remorse, Harper believes they do now. "Probably with what they are facing, they probably have remorse. I'd say so. Probably when they walked the streets for 16 months, they probably had none. But today, I would think they do," she said. A sentencing hearing was set for 10 a.m. Tuesday. Williams could face the death penalty. Quisenberry, because he is a persistent felony offender, is eligible for life in prison.
Daniel Pinna 
