By Daralyn Schoenewald
Abilene Reporter News
Wednesday, August 6, 2008

An Abilene man accused of running over a woman with his van last December was found guilty of manslaughter Wednesday, an hour after the jury began deliberating.

Jessie Earl "Buddy" Griffith, 60, originally was accused of murder in connection with the death of Brenda Sue Eldridge, 46, who was killed Dec. 22 at Briarwood Apartments in the 3200 block of North 3rd Street.

Manslaughter is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison. Jenny Henley, Griffith's attorney, had argued for intoxication manslaughter -- a lesser charge -- to be considered by the jury, but 104th District Judge Lee Hamilton overruled the objection.

A sentence is expected to be handed down today. Griffith could receive time in prison or probation.

Read the entire article HERE [1].