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Coulter found guilty: Verdict brings 'relief' to family of victims

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, The Southern

Wednesday, December 5, 2007 9:19 PM CST

BENTON - Family members of the late Jack Weston said the guilty verdict delivered Wednesday by a Franklin County jury will not bring back their "happy-go-lucky" loved one, but will bring some peace after months of agony.

"I'm glad it's over. It doesn't bring closure, mostly relief," said Weston's father, Rick, of the trial of James A. Coulter, who was convicted of two counts of murder in the October 2006 shotgun slayings of Weston and his friend, Amanda Tope, Coulter's estranged wife. "Jack was the best. He always had a smile on his face and he loved life - he was contagious like that. He made everybody around him happy."

The jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before finding Herrin resident Coulter, 46, guilty in the couple's murder.

"It's been a living hell having to come here every day, knowing what happened to my son - my only child," said Weston, a Zeigler resident. "Now I have to keep his memory alive for my granddaughters."

During closing arguments earlier on Wednesday, Franklin County State's Attorney Tom Dinn told the jury that the murders were in part prompted by Coulter's desire to control Tope, who left him in September 2006.

"So how does he reassert his control over Amanda? He murders her and Jack Weston - the ultimate manifestation of control. But you are in control now. This is not Jim Coulter's day. This day is reserved for Jack Weston and Amanda Tope. This day is the day you get to exert control and grant them justice."

Jenny Baldwin, mother of Weston's 10-year-old daughter, Alexis, said although there was no comparison in the fates of Weston, Tope and Coulter, "I'll take what justice we can get. I feel relieved to be able to tell my daughter she doesn't have to live in fear anymore. She is an amazing little girl. Very strong, but today, she was nervous. She said she would keep her fingers crossed at school and she took a picture of her dad with her in her backpack. I can't wait to go home and tell her it's finally over."

Debbie Frick, Jack Weston's mother, broke her long silence to the media after the verdict was read.

"Justice was served today and hopefully, he will remain behind bars and keep the rest of us safe," Frick said.

Tope's family declined to comment on the verdicts.

Defense attorney Mike Rowland apologized to Weston's family at the start of his closing argument about incorrect information delivered in the defense's opening statement last Thursday.

In that statement, the defense contended Weston's body contained a "lethal" dose of Vicodin or hydrocodone. Later testimony by a forensic pathologist revealed a "misreading" of the toxicology report that resulted in erroneous information being delivered to attorneys.

"That was incorrect information that was presented to the defense," Rowland said. "It was not a lethal or toxic amount, but a therapeutic amount for legitimate pain. We want to apologize to the jury and the family."

Coulter did not show emotion as the jury's verdicts were read in court. He was immediately taken back to Franklin County Jail, where he will remain until a Feb. 15 sentencing.

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