Mooneyham not guilty of murder

Friday, August 7, 2009

Tweet LEBANON -- A Criminal Court jury in Wilson County returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts in a murder trial concluded Thursday. Willie Mooneyham, 58, was charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of John Wayne Gribbins. Both Mooneyham and Gribbins were Wilson County residents. "The shooting death of Mr. Gribbins was clearly a case of self defense" stated Alan Poindexter who, along with Jaimee Underwood, defended Mr. Mooneyham. "Gribbins was ramming Mooneyham's vehicle with a heavy wrecker when Mooneyham fired in self defense" Poindexter added. The case was tried with heavy security due to the high emotions between the families of the deceased and Mooneyham.  Mooneyham was relieved with the verdict and visibly in tears as the jury verdict was read.