Nard Accepts Plea To Avoid Death Penalty

Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Lawrence County man has accepted a plea bargain agreement rather than face the possibility of a death penalty conviction.

Greg Leon Nard, 26, of Iron City, entered the plea late Wednesday before Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Mike Jones.

Nard, his father William David Nard, 49, and Earnest Widdowson, 44, both also of Iron City, were arrested on one count apiece of murder in connection with the January 27, 2007 death of James Gregory Wright, 42, inside his Lauderdale County Rod 130, Greenhill home. Authorities reported that Wright had been beaten and stabbed. Charges against both Nards were later upgraded to that of capital murder.

Prosecutors in the case alleged that the murder occurred during the commission of other felony crimes. Shortly after Wright’s death, authorities alleged the three had gone to his home to collect $70.00 he owed one of the defendants.

In February Widdowson opted to enter into a plea bargain agreement requiring that he testify during the trials of both Nards, and that he serve a prison sentence of twenty years. He testified that while outside Wright’s home he did strike him, causing him to fall to the ground as he attempted to flee from the Nards during a robbery. He stated that the Nards then dragged Wright back inside his house and killed him.

Trial for Nard had been scheduled to begin Monday morning. Under Alabama law the plea to a capital murder crime does not eliminate the need for a trial. A “mini trial” will get underway Monday, instead. A jury will be seated and prosecutors will call only a few key witnesses to testify. Afterwards the jury will be advised of the plea and asked to convict on the capital murder charge and recommend a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The defense will present no case. Under the plea bargain agreement, Nard will not appeal the sentence.

Trial for William David Nard is scheduled to get underway in October. He, too, is a candidate for the death penalty.