Judge: Suspect’s statements can be used in court

Statements that an accused murderer made to police before he was a named a suspect in a quadruple homicide can be used in court when he goes to trial, a judge ruled.

 

Henry Lee Stringer faces four counts of murder in a May 2006 murder-arson in the Jackson County city of Hoschton. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case.

 

On Wednesday, Jackson County Superior Court Judge ruled that statements Stringer made to authorities before he was named a suspect in the case can be used at trial, the Athens Banner-Herald reported Thursday.

 

“There is no evidence to show that these were anything but voluntary statements made by Mr. Stringer,” prosecutor Brad Smith told the court, according to the newspaper. “And at no time was he in custody.”

 

A trial date has not been set in the case.