GREENE Co., (WTWO/WAWV) — A Greene County man who is spending life in prison for a 24-year-old murder is having his sentence reconsidered.
Jerry Russell Sr. was first sentenced in 1998 after the decomposed body of Pamela Foddrill was found across state lines in 1995.
Foddrill was abducted from an IGA store in Linton on August 18, 1995. Her body was later found in Lawrence County, Illinois in December of the same year.
A hearing was held Friday where Russell’s defense team presented evidence to a judge, arguing that Russell was wrongfully accused in Foddrill’s murder and was not present the day she was abducted.
The defense also linked cognitive impairments as reasoning to change Russell’s sentence. Several witnesses on Russell’s behalf took the stand.
Foddrill’s family members were present in the court room today and they said they hope justice prevails.
“We’re gonna flood this courtroom because everybody is upset about it. Now, I have a sister that lives in California, one in Kentucky, one here in Linton. I have nieces and nephews in Alabama, Wisconsin, Tennessee and they’re starting GoFundMe accounts to hire the best attorney they can to make sure he doesn’t get off,” said Jan Gearries, Pamela Foddrill’s sister.
There will be an additional hearing on January 31, 2020 where more evidence will be presented to the judge, as well as additional witnesses.
Foddrill’s family expects to take the stand during that time.
