Soldier's trial in triple slaying delayed again

The continuance is the latest delay for Master Sgt. Timothy B. Hennis, who is charged with the 1985 murder of Kathryn Eastburn, 31, and her two daughters, 3-year-old Erin and 5-year-old Kara.

Posted 8:46 p.m. Jul 28, 2009 — Updated 8:46 p.m. Jul 28, 2009

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A military judge on Tuesday postponed the trial of a Fort Bragg soldier facing murder charges.

The continuance is the latest delay for Master Sgt. Timothy B. Hennis. Col. Patrick Parrish set Hennis's trial for Feb. 8, 2010.

Hennis, 51, is charged with three counts of premeditated murder in the 1985 deaths of Kathryn Eastburn, 31, and her two daughters, 3-year-old Erin and 5-year-old Kara, in their Fayetteville home. Investigators also believe that Eastburn was raped.

Hennis was convicted of the crimes and sentenced to death in 1986. His conviction was overturned on appeal; a second jury acquitted him in 1989. He later retired and moved out of state.

When DNA evidence surfaced that authorities said linked Hennis to the crimes, the Army recalled him to active duty, and to stand trial in military court.

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