Second KFC murder trial set to begin

Evidence indicates third suspect involved in Kilgore KFC slayings

Almost a year after Romeo Pinkerton pled guilty to his role in killing five people during the robbery of a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Kilgore, Darnell Hartsfield's trial is about to begin for those same killings.

On Sept. 8, due to a change in venue for the case, Hartsfield will be tried in Bryan by the Texas Attorney General's Office. Assistant AG Lisa Tanner will be handling the prosecution as she did in the Pinkerton trial.

KFC Corporation has reinstated a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the third person, believed to be involved in the 1983 murders of five victims kidnapped from a Kilgore Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.

Pinkerton, 49, of Tyler, is serving five life terms in prison after pleading guilty in October to his role in the murders of David Maxwell, 20; Joseph Johnson, 20; Montgomery Landers, 19; Mary Tyler, 37; and Opie Hughes, 38.

During Pinkerton's trial, assistant attorney general Lisa Tanner revealed DNA evidence that confirms the involvement of an unidentified third person.

"Romeo Pinkerton's guilty plea brought the families of these five innocent victims one step closer to justice," Attorney General Abbott said. "While we remain focused on prosecuting the remaining defendant in this case, we urge anyone with knowledge about the third to contact us immediately. We are grateful to KFC Corporation for their generous support as we continue to seek justice for these families."

Sept. 23, 1983, is the aniversary of the case where Kilgore police and the Texas Rangers discovered the five victims on rural property in Rusk County. The Office of the Attorney General has been involved in the case since 1993, when then-Rusk County District Attorney Kyle Freeman requested investigative and prosecutorial assistance.

Anyone with information identifying the third suspect should immediately contact the Texas Attorney General's Office at (512) 475-4446 or the Rusk County Crime Stoppers at (903) 655-TIPS (8477).

The Rusk County District Attorney's Officer is also assisting in this investigation and remains under a gag order for the course of the trial.