By Ray King
Stephens Media
PINE BLUFF — A condemned killer scheduled to be executed next month can be interviewed by lawyers for a capital punishment opponent accused of trying to smuggle contraband to him on death-row, a judge ruled today.
Circuit Judge Jodi Dennis said lawyers for Betsey Wright can videotape Don Davis, who is to be executed April 12, more than a month before Wright’s trial in May, in the 1990 execution-style murder of Rogers resident Jane Daniel.
Wright lawyer Jeff Rosenzweig said his client had been visiting Davis for some time and that Davis’ testimony was needed at her trial, slated to start May 25, to corroborate her contention that she was not trying to smuggle contraband to him at the time of her arrest.
“He would be unavailable to testify if he is executed,” Rosenzweig told the judge today. “Of course if there’s a stay of execution, we will have him in court.”
Authorities charged the 66-year-old Wright, a former gubernatorial chief of staff to Bill Clinton, with attempting to furnish prohibited articles in a correctional institution.
She is accused of trying to smuggle into the facility a box cutter with a razor blade, a Swiss Army knife, an ink pen with tweezers and needle inside, and 48 tattoo needles. She has pleaded innocent.
Rosenzweig told Dennis on Wednesday the tattoo needles, which were found in a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, were at the bottom of a vending machine located in the foyer of the Varner Unit, and Wright picked up the bag after paying for another bag before trying to go in to visit Davis.
Wright told state police investigators she “thought she was getting a free bag of chips,” her lawyer said.
The judge granted Rosenzweig request to review prison records relating to smuggling or attempted smuggling by guards at the state’s prisons, information the lawyer said “goes to our defense.”
Also Wednesday, prosecutors said their case at Wright’s trial would not include an incident five years ago involving her at a prison unit.
In April 2005, prison officials temporarily suspended Wright’s visitation privileges after authorities said she refused to submit to a search and ran from the facility.
Rosenzweig said Wright thought guards wanted to search her vehicle. He called the incident a misunderstanding and said referring to it at the trial would be prejudicial.
