Defense: NC soldier convicted in slayings of woman, 2 daughters should not be executed

Defense: NC soldier should not be executed

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Defense lawyers for a soldier convicted of murder in the slayings of a North Carolina mother and her two children say their client should not be executed.

The military jury considering whether to sentence Master Sgt. Timothy Hennis to death or life in prison heard from several of Hennis’ relatives and friends Monday. They recalled Hennis as a loving father and professional soldier.

Hennis was convicted Thursday of killing Kathryn Eastburn and her young daughters in their Fayetteville home in 1985.

Hennis was first convicted in state court, but appealed and was acquitted in a second trial. The case was turned over to the Army after investigators examined DNA evidence that couldn’t be tested in the mid-1980s.