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7 years later, jurors weigh attempted murder charge

By Robert Sorrell

Billy Jack Lyons’ defense attorney told jurors his client did indeed stab Robert Emerson but he never intended to kill him — he only wanted him to move away.

But as jurors began deliberations this morning, they were considering a far different story presented by the prosecution, one that depicted a series of bizarre events that led to the May 18, 2005, stabbing of Emerson.

During both opening and closing arguments, Assistant Public Defender David Crichton told jurors they must decide whether Lyons, who faces an attempted murder charge, intended to kill Emerson when he stabbed him in the chest.