Many continue to question Jackson County Prosecutor Rick Poynter’s decision to pursue a plea agreement with Zachariah C.J. Blanton, the 18-year-old Gaston man.

On Monday, Blanon admitted he drove to the Enos Road bridge over Interstate 65 on July 23, 2006. He then took a high-powered 270 Remington rifle from his vehicle and shot and killed Jerry Ross of New Albany, who was riding in the back seat of a pickup driven by his brother, David Ross. The Rosses along with a third brother, Terry Ross, were returning home from a night of late model racing in Indianapolis.Blanton also admitted to firing a second shot at another southbound vehicle, injuring an Iowa man.

As a reporter, I’m supposed to try to remain unbiased as I write any story. That was tough to do in this case considering the crime. It’s a cliché, but I going to use it anyway. There was no winner in this case.

You didn’t have to look very hard to see the pain in the eyes of Ross’ family as well as Blanton’s grandparents.

After the plea hearing on Monday, Poynter faced a tough crowd of reporters all questioning his decision to go for the plea agreement instead of pursuing a trial.I have to give Poynter credit for one thing. He stood by the statements he made when he was running for election in 2006. He said at that time, the evidence in each case needed to be looked at differently and that there are times a plea agreement should be used.He said the same thing under questioning Monday.  At least he’s been consistent.

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