Suspects Swap Blame In Slayings Of Five

Two prison inmates freed on an early-release program blame each other for the slayings of three video store workers and the elderly couple who stumbled upon the crime, police said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the program under which they got out of jail was suspended Wednesday, pending a review.

Esther Carol Beckley said she sat in a car outside the Hollywood Video store while Shane Glenn Harrison killed the workers early March 3, police said.

Then, according to police, Beckley said she followed Harrison as he took the grandparents of one of the workers to the mountains and shot them. The couple had gone to the store to give their grandson a ride home.

Harrison told police Beckley, who had left with his car and leather jacket, returned “in a state of panic” and with blood splattered on the jacket. He said he had no part in the killings.

District Attorney Bob Schwartz said Wednesday he will probably seek the death penalty for both, who were arrested Tuesday following an informant’s tip.