A Mixed Verdict Returned In Williford Case

Monday, October 15th 2007, 7:00 pm

By: News On 6

A Tulsa County jury deliberating the fate of former newspaper carrier Paul Williford reaches a verdict. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports jurors found Paul Williford guilty of first degree murder in the death of Geraldine Lawhorn and not guilty in the death of Donna Jo Stauffer.

Williford did not testify in his trial, but in a taped confession, he told police he killed Geraldine Lawhorn and Donna Jo Stauffer. Both women were customers on his paper route. He later pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.

The defense claims that both Donna Jo Stauffer and Geraldine Lawhorn died of natural causes, which is what police thought before Williford confessed to their murders.

During the investigation, the body of Geraldine Lawhorn was exhumed from her grave near Vinita. Donna Jo Stufferâ€™s body was cremated.

Paul Williford's attorney claims her client made up the confessions to become famous.

Jurors recommended Paul Williford be sentenced to life without parole for the conviction. That sentence should run consecutively to Williford's other sentence.

Convicted murderer Paul Williford is already serving an 80-year prison term for attacking another woman on his Tulsa newspaper route.

Watch the video: Jury Returns Mixed Verdict In Williford Trial

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10/25/2005 Tulsa Newspaper Carrier Reportedly Confesses To Murder

10/26/2005 Ripple Effects Of Paul Williford's Confessions

4/10/2006 Paul Williford Pleads Guilty

10/19/2006 Former Newspaper Carrier Faces New Murder Charges

2/20/2007 Murder Suspect's Court Hearing Rescheduled

10/10/2007 Jury Selection Begins In Murder Case

10/11/2007 Testimony To Begin In Double Murder Trial

10/12/2007 Testimony In A Newspaper Carrier's Murder Trial Continues

10/12/2007 Jury Hears Videotaped Confession At Williford Murder Trial