Trial set for two men involved in deadly Greene Co. home invasion | News

PARAGOULD, AR (KAIT) – The two men involved in a Greene County home invasion were in court on Thursday.

According to Prosecuting Attorney Scott, Lavelle Branch-Griffin's attorney requested a reduced bond during the proceedings, but a judge denied that request. 

A pre-trial hearing has been set for July 1st and a Tentative trial date is scheduled for November 12th. 

Ellington filed capital murder charges against Rashon D. Webb, 18, of Jonesboro and Lavelle Branch-Griffin, 18. Two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of breaking or entering and two counts of aggravated assault also add to the charges.

Scott Ellington said in a news release, "Today, on behalf of the people of State of Arkansas and Greene County, I have charged Webb and Branch-Griffin with the crime of capital murder, which is punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole," Ellington said. "Although we haven't decided whether to seek the death penalty, the information also sets forth Aggravating Circumstances sufficient for a jury to consider the death penalty, should the defendants be found guilty of capital murder."

Both men are being held in the Greene County Jail without bond. They could face the death penalty. 

The case is still under investigation.

At 5:55 Monday morning, officers were called to a home in the 800-block of East Court Street regarding an aggravated robbery with shots fired.

When police arrived, they found Clinton M. Mason, 90, suffering from a gunshot wound.

Mason was taken by ambulance to Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries.

According to Corporal Brad Snyder of the Paragould Police Department, at 11:45 p.m. Sunday, a woman stopped an officer in the 800-block of North 15^thAvenue to report that two men brandishing handguns had knocked on her door asking to use the phone. 

The woman said the men then forced their way into her home and stole an undisclosed amount of money.  She was uninjured.

Investigators from Arkansas State Police and the Greene County Sheriff's Office assisted in quickly tracking down the teenagers.

"The big part was a huge help from the Arkansas State Police and the Greene County Sheriff's Office helping our department regarding these two incidents," Cpl. Snyder said. "Their help was invaluable, and that's what led to the quick solving of this case.

"Everybody can rest assured," he added, "that the two that were responsible for these two crimes these past couples of days are behind bars."

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