Stanley Griffin

Case record: Stanley Griffin

Background

Stanley Lamar Griffin was a Black male who was 6 ft. 2 in. tall and weighed 180 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes.

Griffin was received on 07/02/2012 at age 47. His education level (highest grade completed) was 12.

Griffin’s age at the time of the offense was 45, and his date of offense was 09/19/2010. The offense occurred in Brazos County.

Griffin’s native county was Gadsden and his native state was Florida.

Griffin’s prior occupation included landscaper and short order cook.

Griffin had a prior prison record: #575379. It involved a 20-year sentence from Harris County for Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He was released to Harris County on parole on February 5, 2003.

The offence

On 09/19/2010, Griffin entered the victim’s residence and strangled her with his hands or an unknown object. He also stabbed and attempted to strangle the victim’s young son.

The victim died as a result of her injuries.

The victim’s son was attacked during the same incident and survived.

Investigation

DNA evidence was presented to show Griffin killed the 29-year-old Hailey in her apartment and attacked her then-nine-year-old son in September 2010.

A DNA crime lab analyst testified that the DNA of Griffin was found under the fingernails of Hailey.

During the trial, analyst Allison Heard testified that the trowel found in an outdoor trash can near the Hailey home the morning of the murder was covered in the blood of Hailey’s son and that she could match any DNA on the handle.

Another crime lab analyst, Emma Becker, testified that the blood of the child was found on the shoes Griffin was wearing when he was arrested hours after the murder.

Prosecutors also contended that Hailey had used her right hand to try to rip Griffin’s left arm from around her neck, and authorities later found Griffin with fresh scratch marks on his left arm.

Griffin said the scratch marks were caused two days earlier from riding his bike through brush.

A baseball cap found in the Pedernales Drive home of Hailey and her son was tested for DNA. Heard testified that Hailey’s DNA almost certainly was found on it. With other DNA found on the cap, Griffin could not be excluded as a possibility, but it was not as conclusive.

Shortly before the murder, Griffin was seen in surveillance video at a Navasota convenience store with a friend, who testified to dropping Griffin off near Hailey’s home. He was wearing a similar hat.

Footprints found in blood in Jennifer Hailey’s home were extremely similar to those that would be left by shoes Stanley Griffin was wearing when he was arrested for Hailey’s murder.

A white ball cap recovered in Hailey’s home on September 20, 2010 appeared similar to the one Griffin was seen wearing in surveillance video at a Navasota convenience store as he returned to College Station the night of September 19.

A College Station police detective, Detective Travis Lacox, testified about his investigation that day, including how police eventually found Griffin at a family home with fresh scratch marks on his arm, consistent with a struggle.

Lacox also discussed a conversation he had with the child, who was in the hospital. Lacox testified the child told him Griffin had attacked him in the living room of the home.

Blood was found in a hallway of the home leading from the living room to the bedrooms.

A forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy testified that the 29-year-old mother died of strangulation. Dr. Satish Chundru from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted the autopsy.

Chundru testified that injuries on Hailey’s neck and face, including bruises and burst blood vessels, were consistent with blood (and therefore, oxygen) being deprived to her head and brain.

Chundru also described the child’s injuries, stating that some injuries appeared to be from strangulation and that the child suffered significant wounds to his throat, believed to be from a garden trowel.

Chundru confirmed the garden trowel could have easily caused the injuries seen in photographs.

The defense emphasized inconsistencies in the boy’s statements in the days and weeks following the murder, including where he said he was in the home at the time of the incidents and how they took place. The defense also questioned the state’s kidnapping assertion.

The state sought a capital murder conviction by alleging Griffin kidnapped the boy “by the letter of the law.”

A police report from just after the incident described Griffin as having asked Hailey if he could live with her, but that she refused.

Motive for the murder had not been discussed in court.

Arrest

Griffin was arrested hours after the murder. Police found him later the day of the murder with fresh scratch marks on his left arm, which authorities considered consistent with a struggle.

Trial

Participants

The victim was Jennifer Marie Hailey, a 29-year-old mother.

The victim’s young son was attacked and survived. He was described as having been nine years old at the time of the incident.

Griffin was tried in Brazos County.

The jury in the sentencing phase included ten women and two men.

The District Attorney was Bill Turner.

Defense attorney Stephen Gustitis was involved.

Defense attorney Lane Thibodeaux worked alongside Steve Gustitis.

A state witness included psychologist testimony and other witnesses called during trial.

Opening arguments and plea

During opening arguments, District Attorney Bill Turner told the jury that DNA evidence found at the home on Pedernales Drive and on the bodies of Hailey and her son would prove Griffin was the killer, and he also argued that Griffin kidnapped the child by ordering him to go back to his room with the idea that harm could come to the child if he did not comply.

Defense attorney Stephen Gustitis noted Griffin had been convicted of another attempted murder by strangling in 1990 and served 12 years in prison.

Gustitis argued that because of the prior conviction, prosecutors were looking for anything they could to elevate the murder of Hailey to capital.

Gustitis said the burglary charge was later added on by a grand jury two months after the crime, and that in June 2011 the state tacked on a kidnapping charge. Gustitis stated the burglary charge was later dropped by the state, but the murder remained a capital offense because of the kidnapping.

Gustitis argued that authorities never suspected a kidnapping and never investigated one, and that Hailey’s son never once said he had been kidnapped.

Gustitis asked the jury to find Griffin not guilty.

On Monday, Griffin pleaded not guilty to capital murder, which was a murder charge elevated by a charge of kidnapping.

Evidence and testimony

The son testified that he woke up late on the night of September 19, 2010 to find Griffin on top of his mother in her bedroom. He said he recognized Griffin and said his first name, and that Griffin identified himself as “Michael from Huntsville” and told the boy to go back to his room.

A few minutes later, the son said he returned to his mother’s room and saw her passed out on the floor.

The son testified that soon after, Griffin started strangling him, and that Griffin then grabbed a garden trowel and struck the boy in the head and neck.

The boy testified he awoke in a different part of the house with a comforter over him. He testified he later found his mother dead and called his grandmother for help.

A video was shown of the hospitalized child picking the picture of Griffin out of a set of photos and identifying him as the person who attacked.

Under cross examination, Gustitis brought up several recorded statements the son had made to authorities and medical professionals in the hours and days following the trial, including how the attack took place and what was said during it. The son denied saying them or could not remember saying them.

Jason Hailey testified that he arrived at his sister’s home the next morning after his nephew’s call for help to his grandmother, and Jason tried to do CPR on Jennifer but to no avail.

Jason testified that his conversation with the boy soon after arrival led him to understand that the attacker physically put the boy in his bedroom.

A defense witness and the state presented arguments about whether kidnapping occurred and whether Hailey was alive when her son received an order to go back to his room.

The defense argued that Hailey was already dead when the boy came upon her and the murderer, and that the son’s movements were never restricted and he was never confined in his home.

Prosecutors argued that Hailey was still struggling for her life, and that she eventually lost by strangulation.

The jury deliberated for 65 minutes following closing arguments.

A prosecutor made the statement:

“[The boy] was never going to leave these four walls,” prosecutor Brian Baker said in closing arguments. “He (Griffin) was going to do everything in his power to make sure he didn’t see the light of day again.”

Defense attorney Stephen Gustitis made the statement:

“Justice for Jennifer is convicting Stanley Griffin of murder,” defense attorney Stephen Gustitis told the jury, a complete concession that the state’s evidence proves Griffin was the killer.

Gustitis also told the jury:

“If you convict Stanley Griffin of murder, he’s not getting away with anything.”

Verdict in the guilt phase

A Brazos County jury found Stanley Griffin guilty of capital murder in the September 2010 death of Jennifer Hailey of College Station, including the kidnapping of her then-nine-year-old son.

Sentencing phase

A Brazos County jury gave the death penalty to Stanley Lamar Griffin for murdering a 29-year-old mother and violently assaulting her 9-year-old son.

Jurors deliberated for about four-and-a-half hours to reach a verdict in the sentencing phase of Griffin’s 10-day capital murder trial.

The article described a progression during the trial, including that on June 20 the jury spent 68 minutes behind closed doors before finding Griffin guilty of strangling Jennifer Marie Hailey and kidnapping her son inside their College Station apartment on Sept. 19, 2010.

The punishment phase included testimony about Griffin’s background and possible mental retardation mitigation.

Psychologist Dr. Mark Cunningham testified that Griffin had “mild mental retardation,” and that if at least one juror agreed with Cunningham’s assessment, Griffin could not be sentenced to death and instead would receive life in prison without parole.

Cunningham used six IQ tests Griffin completed to show his IQ has been in the mid-60s or low-70s.

Cunningham testified about Griffin’s adaptive behavior deficiencies. Cunningham testified that he found deficiencies in categories including “work,” “self direction,” “social/interpersonal skills” and “functional academic skills.”

Cunningham testified that he also assessed Griffin’s future danger and that given his record in prison, Griffin did not appear to be a risk.

Cunningham testified that the likelihood of prisoners over the age of 40 committing serious violent acts was substantially lower than others.

Defense psychologist Dr. Jolie Brams testified that she reviewed thousands of records and conducted interviews with friends and family members of Griffin, but not with Griffin himself.

Brams testified that with appropriate nurturing at a young age and special training, people with an IQ like Griffin’s may be able to do simple, low stress, repetitive work, but that working independently for the long term was next to impossible.

Brams testified that a childhood with limited support and physical and verbal attacks Griffin experienced did not put him in a position to be able to succeed.

Brams testified that she thought Griffin knew right from wrong and was aware he was responsible for choices he makes, and that Griffin could control impulses.

Under cross examination, Brams said her interviews seemed to show Griffin knew right from wrong and was aware he was responsible for choices he makes.

Brams testified that in more serious relationships, it became harder to control impulses than in casual instances.

Prosecutors sought to counter the defense’s mental retardation evidence with their own experts.

During sentencing proceedings, Griffin’s mother, Dorothy Hicks, testified and denied ever verbally or physically abusing her son during the punishment phase of his capital murder trial. Hicks testified she said it was Griffin’s father who was abusive and that she was always a supportive, loving mother.

Hicks denied striking her children or husband, “Tootsie” Griffin, with her hands, sticks and boards.

Hicks denied calling Griffin “crazy” or “stupid” among other names.

Hicks said that her late ex-husband regularly shook and threw down Stanley when he was crying as a baby, and that “Tootsie” was abusive toward them as they got older.

Hicks testified she eventually left him.

A defense witness, Andrea Copelyn, testified she loved Griffin despite his threats of violence, including death, toward her. The prosecutors revealed the two spoke on the phone after her testimony Monday.

Copelyn testified:

“I don’t think anyone will love me like he did,”
and also: “It was crazy, intense.”

Copelyn testified about her relationship and intentions:

“I don't love the Stanley that did that to Jennifer. I love the Stanley that I had. They're different.”

Copelyn testified about her plan for the children and wanting to be with Griffin eventually after her kids got through school.

A couple that attends Covenant Family Church told the jury:

Griffin came to the front of the church after services and asked the couple to pray for him, that he was homeless, had done wrong and wanted to get on the right track.

The couple described Griffin as looking hopeless and like a sad child.

Later they saw Griffin on the news the next day.

Aunt testimony described Griffin’s childhood and asserted abuse. The third day of the punishment phase included testimony from four aunts, sisters of Stanley’s father, the late Willie “Tootsie” Griffin.

The aunts testified they repeatedly saw Dorothy hitting her husband and kids with her hands, sticks and boards, leaving welts and bruises.

They testified the abuse happened in the farm fields and in the home, and that it was not relegated to physical abuse.

They testified they did not witness positive reenforcement from Dorothy to her kids.

They testified Dorothy cursed them and called Stanley “stupid,” “black as tar,” “crazy” and “just like your daddy.”

An aunt testified that Stanley was slow to grasp his studies and needed repeated emphasis when going over his schooling.

Another aunt testified that Griffin was a “joyful,” an “ordinary” boy who would put on talent shows and play games.

A defense witness testified that Griffin asked to be prayed for and described him as homeless.

Closing arguments in sentencing

In closing arguments, District Attorney Bill Turner urged jurors to keep Hailey’s son in mind as they sorted through evidence brought by the defense.

Turner said:

“Soon I'm going to have a conversation with someone who will ask what happened to the man that killed my mother,” he told the jury. “This is not a drive-by shooting, this is getting up close to another human being and feeling the life draining out of them, then going to another and trying the same thing.”

A statement by defense attorney Lane Thibodeaux included:

“This was an emotional case,” he said. “Of course my heart goes out to the Hailey family, but I think it's important as criminal lawyers that we take on and deal with these kinds of cases -the worst kind of cases.”

Psychologist-related testimony included mitigation arguments about moral culpability; Gustitis testified:

“This idea of moral culpability - it's not about whether somebody had a choice, it's about what shaped those choices,” Gustitis said.

Prosecutor Baker made a statement about not celebrating success:

Baker said Hailey's family was glad Griffin had been held accountable but also recognized that justice for their case meant grief for another family.

Baker said:

“I think the jury went a long way toward starting the healing process for Jennifer's family,” he said.

As Griffin was escorted out, Griffin turned toward his family to say:

“Love y'all,” flashing a quick smile.

Judgment and sentencing

The jury sentenced Griffin to death.

The sentencing phase had two punishment options described as life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

The article stated that to sentence him to death, the jury must determine Griffin was a future danger to others and that there were no mitigating circumstances that would prevent the State of Texas from executing him.

Sentencing

Griffin was sentenced to death on July 2, 2012.

Other details

Prior assault victim testimony (1990 attack)

Jodie Piacente testified about a May 1990 incident in Webster, Texas.

She testified Griffin broke through a window in her home, came at her with a knife, and tried to choke her.

Piacente testified:

“And then I just know that we struggled,” she told the jury. “I was trying to get the knife out of his hand. We ended up on the floor, and he was on top of me with my face down.
“I thought for sure I was going to die that night.”

Piacente testified she grabbed a second knife, but left through a window and was able to get help.

She testified her children were not injured and Griffin left after she escaped.

Chris, Piacente’s son, testified he was five years old at the time and jumped on Griffin’s back and punched him to help free his mother.

Piacente testified Griffin was “quiet, sort of methodical” and “mysterious,” and said:

“It was a little strange the way he behaved, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it,”

Piacente testified Griffin was the “pot guy” in the area.

During the 1990 attack, she said he smelled of alcohol and some sort of drug.

The punishment phase evidence also included testimony about Griffin’s conduct in jail, including that he was verbally abusive, lobbed threats at correctional officers, and resisted them.

Threat testimony

A state witness testified that Griffin told her he wanted to tie up his ex in front of her kids and slit her throat.

Neighbor and other character testimony

Defense witnesses included neighbors who said they believed Griffin was a nice person, but that something was a little off.

A neighbor testified Griffin told her he wanted to kill his ex by tying her up and cutting her throat in front of her children. The neighbor, Brandy Davidson, testified:

“I told him he needed to get some help,” Brandy Davidson told the jury. “Maybe he should check into the hospital. They could help him.”

Davidson testified she regretted not telling anyone about the talk after finding out about Hailey’s murder.

Defense strategy and legal framing

The defense argued Griffin was mentally retarded and ineligible for the death penalty under the U.S. Constitution’s 8th Amendment, referencing the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Atkins v. Virginia that people with diagnosed mental retardation cannot be executed.

A jury unanimity requirement for a death sentence was discussed.

Evidence about a prior attempted murder and service time

Gustitis told the jury Griffin had been convicted of another attempted murder by strangling in 1990 and served 12 years in prison.

DNA and arrest-related details

Griffin’s shoes had blood of Hailey’s son, and a trowel in an outdoor trash can near the Hailey home was covered in the blood of Hailey’s son. Griffin’s DNA was found under Hailey’s fingernails.

Case identifiers and prison number

Griffin’s TDCJ number was 999574.