UPDATE - Madison County, FL -- October 23, 2012 --
A teenager accused of murder has now been sentenced to life in prison.
Gary Givens, 18, was accused of murdering retired school principal, Ed Campbell, back in March.
The state attorney's office says Givens entered a plea on Friday which prevented a trial.
A judge sentenced him to serve two consecutive life sentences for second degree murder.
The family of Ed Campbell was in favor of the plea.
During the hearing, they testified to how good of a man Campbell was.
Jeremiah Gillyard, who was also arrest in connection with the crime, but not charged with murder, will be sentenced in November.
He's facing charges of credit card fraud and possession of stolen property.
UPDATE - Madison County, FL -- September 18, 2012 --
A man accused of murdering a retired school principal will not face the death penalty after all.
Madison County Sheriff deputies arrested Gary Givens back in March and charged him with murder for robbing and killing 75-year-old James Ed Campbell.
Givens appeared in court Tuesday afternoon and waived his right to a 12-person jury. The agreement means he will have a six-person jury and the state will not seek the death penalty.
His trial is slated to begin October 22.
Campbell was a retired New Port Richie school principal who settled in Madison.
UPDATE - Madison County, FL -- May 7, 2012 --
"I think that the death penalty should be decided based on the severity of the crime," said Jessica Fralix
These two friends in Madison County have different opinions on the death penalty in Florida.
"Spending a lot amount of time incarcerated is way more suffering for your crimes than death," said her friend, Snowey Hagan.
But, the death penalty is what 18-year-old Gary Givens could be faced with if convicted.
The teen is being charged with the March murder of 75-year-old James Campbell. Campbell was a retired New Port Richie school principal who settled in Madison.
Jeremiah Gillyard, 20, was also arrested in connection with the murder. He's facing charges of credit card fraud and possession of stolen property.
Neighbors and law enforcement officials believe Campbell trusted the two suspects and allowed them to visit him at his house. Now those two men are facing serious charges for taking advantage of someone who considered them a friend.
State Attorney Skip Jarvis said factors leading up to the murder and after are why they're seeking the death penalty for Givens.
Prosecutors said he left Campbell for dead with a blanket covering him.
Madison County Sheriff Deputies arrested both Givens and Gillyard within a week of finding the body.
Madison County, FL -- April 4, 2012 --
The hunt is on for a possible third suspect in the murder of a retired high school principal. Madison County deputies say 75-year old James Campbell was found murdered in his home. Deputies first caught Gary Givens in connection with the crime. He faces charges of homicide, burglary, grand theft, and credit card fraud. Deputies later arrested 20-year-old Jeremiah Gillyard. He is being charged with fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of stolen property.
Another Arrest Made in Murder of 75-Year Old Madison Man
Madison County, FL -- April 2, 2012 --
Madison County Sheriff Deputies caught 20-year-old Jeremiah Gillyard last week in connection with the murder of 75-year-old James Campbell.
They held off on releasing his name until they filed charges. Those charges are fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of stolen property.
Last Tuesday, they arrested 18-year-old Gary Givens as well. He is charged with homicide, burglary, grand theft, and credit card fraud.
Madison Murder Suspect Makes Court Appearance
[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida - March 30, 2012 - 7:30am -
An 18-year-old man accused of murdering a retired high school principal made his first court appearance earlier this week.
Gary Givens appeared before a judge Wednesday (3-28-12). He is accused of murdering 75-year-old James Campbell.
The judge ordered Givens to be held without bond. Given did not enter a plea. Givens faces several charges including homicide and burglary. An arraignment date for Givens has not been announced.
[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida - March 30, 2012 - 7:30am -
Authorities are on the hunt for a third suspect in the murder of a retired high school principal. Madison County deputies say 75-year-old James Campbell was found murdered in his home last Saturday. Two people have already been arrested in the case. Deputies say charges include homicide, burglary, grand theft, and credit card fraud. People who knew Campbell say he will be greatly missed.
"He was just an awesome guy that lived in this town. I don't know of anybody that could say anything bad about him. He was just wonderful," says Shelby Richards of Shelby's Restaurant.
Campbell was a regular at Shelby's Restaurant. The owner said when people didn't see HIM for a few days they became concerned. Deputies say Campbell was dead for ten days before they found his body.
[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida - March 28, 2012 - 3:10pm -
A local sheriff's office has arrested the person they believe murdered a 75-yer-old man. The suspect was arrested late last night. Givens was charged with homicide, burglary, grand theft, theft, and credit card fraud. Charges are currently pending on a second suspect.
Deputies in Madison County said this week they had strong leads in the murder of James Campbell.
Deputies arrested 18-year-old Gary Givens last night, according to Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart. Givens is accused of killing James "Ed" Campbell. Campbell's body was found in his home Saturday and deputies believe he had been dead for several days.
Sheriff Stewart says there is a lot more to this case however.
They are still following leads on other possible suspects.
Later on Eyewitness News, we'll bring more information about the arrested man and what he's charged with. We will also reach out to family members of Campbell to get reaction on the arrest.
[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida - March 28, 2012 - 9:30am -
The Madison County Sheriff's Office says that they have made an arrest in connection with the death of the 75-year-old man.
18-year-old Gary Leonard Givens was arrested in connection with the death of James "Ed" Campbell late last night, according to Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart.
Deputies say they found the body of James Campbell Saturday evening in his home at 389 South West Anderson Pond Way in Madison, Florida.
Eyewitness News has a reporter working on the story. Stay with WCTV for details.
[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida - March 26, 2012 - 6:24pm -
Madison County deputies are looking for a suspect in the murder of a 75-year-old man.
Deputies say they found the body of James "Ed" Campbell Saturday evening in his home at 389 South West Anderson Pond Way.
So far, deputies haven't released any information about possible suspects. But, they are ruling it a murder.
"We can say that it was definitely a homicide, but we can't release the motive of death at this point," said Ben Stewart, Madison County Sheriff.
"I can tell you he'd been there for several days before we found him."
Deputies were able to notify the family about his death.
[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida - March 26, 2012 - 2:30pm -
Madison County Officials say they found a 75-year-old man dead in his home. They are calling his death suspicious.
The man has been identified as James Edward Campbell. Campbell lived at 389 SW Anderson Pond Way in Madison Florida. Investigators with MCSO say he had been dead for a few days before a friend called to have deputies check on him. Deputies called FDLE to assist with the scene.
Stay with WCTV for updates
Madison County, Florida - March 26, 2012 -
Madison County Officials say they found a 75-year-old man dead in his home. They are calling his death suspicious.
Ben Stewart with the Madison County Sheriff's office says they are investigating the death of the 75-year-old man.
They found him around 5pm on Saturday. Right now, they aren't releasing his name or any details into his death.
We have put in multiple calls to receive more information. As soon as we have those details we'll bring
