FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A North Texas man goes to trial this week in Fort Worth on capital murder charges for the stabbing death of an 18-year-old woman nearly three decades ago.
Ryland Absalon is now 45 and was a neighbor of Ginger Hayden, whose body was found Sept. 5, 1984, at her Fort Worth apartment. She had been stabbed 57 times. The knife used to kill her broke during the attack.
A police cold case squad investigation led to Absalon, who was 17 at the time of the killing. He and Hayden both attended the same high school in Arlington.
Defense lawyers tell the Fort Worth Star Telegram that Absalon, who was a suspect early in the investigation, has always maintained his innocence and still does. Jury selection is to begin Monday.
Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com
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