Punishment phase continues in capitol murder trial

By Vanessa Goodwyn

     The punishment phase of the trial of Jerry Duane Martin began on Tuesday and was continuing on Wednesday afternoon.  The seven women, five men jury delivered a verdict of guilty of capital murder on Monday afternoon, the eighth day of the trial, after deliberating approximately two hours after hearing the closing arguments of the attorneys.  Martin was responsible for the death of a Huntsville prison guard, Susan Canfield, during an escape attempt in 2007.  After his accomplice, John Ray Folk, wrestled a rifle from Canfield, Martin struck her and/or the horse on which she was mounted with the one-ton Ford pickup they were using for their escape, and she was killed.