22-Year Investigation
For 22 years, the case remained unsolved; several people were arrested and one person, James Earl Mankins, Jr., an individual with prior drug convictions who was also the son of a State Representative, was charged with the murders, but was later released after the beginning of pre-trial proceedings due to a lack of evidence.
Finally, in November 2005, two men (already in prison for other crimes) were arrested and charged: Cousins Darnell Hartsfield (44) and Romeo Pinkerton (47). At the time of arrest, Hartsfield was serving a life sentence for aggravated perjury in connection with the case. Since they have been charged with capital murder, Hartsfield and Pinkerton could receive the death penalty if convicted.
Read more about this topic: Kentucky Fried Chicken Murders