Thursday, March 31, 2005

Lafelle Ragland isnt going to stay quiet any longer. Shes not going to hold back her emotions, her convictions or her side of the story for one more day.

Im on a mission, she said. There is so much to say, I just dont know where to begin.

For several years, she has held back her comments, kept her emotions hidden and avoided speaking publicly about her grandson, Shane Ragland, who was convicted in 2002 in Fayette County of murdering Trent DiGiuro, a former University of Kentucky football player, in 1994.

Lafelle Ragland, who lives in Frankfort but considers Bowling Green her home, has maintained for years that her grandson is innocent and received an unfair trial. Now, she feels, is the time to finally speak out.

Shane got an unjust trial over there, she said. They didnt prove it and they couldnt prove it. There was reasonable doubt.

Ragland pointed to the fact that one of the key prosecution witnesses, FBI scientist Kathleen Lundy, admittedly lied in court about the results of several ballistics tests and has since been suspended from courtroom and FBI case work.

She admitted under oath that she was lying, Ragland said.

Ragland also brought up the prosecutions closing statement, which implicated Shane because he chose not to testify in the trial. Under the Fifth Amendment, a defendant can refrain from testifying against himself.

The Kentucky Supreme Court voted Nov. 18 to take another look at the case on the grounds that the closing arguments were misstated.

After the makeup of the court changed due to the November elections, the attorney generals office filed a motion to reconsider that decision and a new hearing is set for May 11, in which the court will decide whether to re-open the case.

Lafelle Ragland said she has not doubted Shanes innocence for a moment since this all started. She wants everyone to get to know the real Shane, the one who was a computer whiz.

Our side of the story, the media hasnt known it, she said. The child has worked so hard and hes such a hard-working, wonderful boy.

Shanes father, Jerry, who lives in Frankfort, also thinks that now is the time to speak on the matter.

Its just been too much of untruths told, too many lies that we did not stand up and say Hey thats not right, he said. Its about time that people start listening.

The Raglands have attempted in the past few months to gather evidence that would exonerate Shane.

His father said that in the new hearing they will try to paint Aimee Lloyd, the woman who testified that Shane admitted to the crime, as an untrustworthy person who was motivated by the monetary reward offered.

She has these menial jobs and this was a home run for her, Ragland said. Shes a pro, shes a con and thats what Im going to bring out.

The Raglands do, however, feel for the DiGiuro family and their lost son. Shanes younger brother, Mark, committed suicide at age 16, several years before Shane was arrested.

Lafelle Ragland can understand their pain and want them to realize that Shane was not involved in the crime.

Now, weve lost a child, she said. My heart pains for them. Id like to be their friend. Id like to sit and talk with them.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700