Victim's fiance tells of affair with defendant

The best way to END a love triangle would simply be to NOT start one in the first place! These people were educators for heaven sake. How would they answer a question about how to STOP cheating on a test? They would say, "Don't cheat in the first place".

This guy is a dirt bag. He is an arrogant, lying, self absorbed baby. If I were on the jury, no way would I vote to convict this woman after hearing him on the stand.

Mr. Pittman seemed extremely nervous when he testified. While Ms Hughes remained relaxed. I believe Mr. Pittman knows a whole lot more, he either did this or had something to do with it. I cannot help but to notice his fake crying routine. I am extremely surprised that he is not the defendant. We can only pray that the Jurors see through him. I am not saying Ms Hughes is guilty or Not Guilty, but I feel confident that Mr. Pittman is not telling the truth, but putting on a pretty good act. God will decide in the end who is responsible.

This man had his cake and was able to eay it!!! He had nothing to gain from killing his fiance. The women around him just put themselves on a silver platter and handed it to him.

To answer your question about how to end a triangle relationship;
now days this has to be well planned....
I would if possible change jobs move myself or my family to another location without a forwarding address, change my phone numbers;home and cell numbers,change my car tag number or if possible change my car....then I would bluntly tell the person that the relationship is over and walk away while watching my back.

If Keyon wouldn't have been cheating, Avis would still be here. I think they both need to go down for murder. He was involved whether he talked Carla into murdering Avis or not. Because he was involved in a relationship with this woman and cheating on his fiancee' the both of them should go down for murder.

I believe that Pittman definitely had something to do with the murder and it seems to feel he's smarter then the attorney. The way he answer questions he appears guilty that he's better then the women he dated.

I can see Pittman thinking he could plan and carry out a murder and get away with it. Its every bodies fault he dated them but his. That he's so cute they couldn't resists him. That's the way he comes off on the stand.

After waiting to hear the Trial of Carla Hughes. I 99% believe that Keyon Pittman stole Carla Hughes shoes and other items at Carla Hughes home to make Carla Hughes look like a Murder. Keyon Pittman is the one I believe is the real murder. About the Emotions on Pittman is just a crock of....Keyon Pittman killed Avis Banks and there Unborn Baby. I am only for Avis Banks and the Innocent only. I can't understand that if both of them having cellular phones and that could have shown the GPS location even if the Location is not on a cellular phone it can still be traced with the location too.

It is hard not to get into a love triangle BUT they do call it unconditional love because your love for your spouse is ment to over come your timtation's and draw you closer to your spouse in doing so..

My question is who kicked the door down? I dont think Carla could do that by herself. So someone else had to be there with her ...a male, a strong male.
And also this was overkill in my opinion;someone shot the poor girl and then someone else stabbed her when she was down on the ground to make sure she was dead not only her but her baby too.
I also think the victim knew of the relationship her boyfriend was having with Carla... did anyone check if Carla made any phone calls to the victium?

I feel like when u deal with a person on a reggular basis u pretty much now their body language and all..so if he didnt now hw new when he spoke to carla. he's wrong for cheating but murder is diff. you never now with people nowadays..things aren't always wat they seem....and love if you weak minded can make you do anythng...Their both guilty of sumthng when u look at it

TO GET OUT OF AN AFFAIR, JUST SIT DOWN WITH THE PERSON AND TELL THEM THAT YOU HAD HIDDEN GENDER FEELINGS, THAT YOU HAD REALIZED THAT YOU LIKE THE SAME SEX. THIS SHOULD EASE TENSION TO KEEP THE AFFAIR GOING.

If Carla knew Avis y she didn't do n e thing n the beginning

The prosecution has created "reasonable doubt" because of Mr. Pittman's testimony. Phony tears and very defensive testimony makes me wonder if he isn't the murderer!!

I think mr. Pittman wasnt able to shed tears because he knows he is guilty of carrying on this affair. His actions the night of the murder are truly dumbfounded.

I believe in my heart that Keyon & Carla planned this murder together. And I pray he get what he deserves.

Carla Hughes would be the only one interested in killing her competition Ms. Banks. Why would Keyon Pittman participate or have an interest in her killing when he could and did have the both of them? Only one had the motive and desire.

I dont believe the man had anything to do with it, what would he gain, he bought the home together with his fiance, so he would be left with a mortgage by himself on a coach salary if he killed her. I believe two things, she acted alone or he planted it in her head. If she acted alone on this, i believe we dont see tears from him, because in a way he is relieved, that he is single and can have all these women, without creeping around.

I worked with Ms. Banks @ Bright Horizons. She was a sweet and a very quiet person. Her death hurt all of her co-workers, and we didn't have a clue what went on. We all went to the funeral and he showed up surpriseingly with 2 body guards because her family was so upset. We believe that she killed Avis, but he had some part in it somehow. Her body was horrific to look @ around her neck. Avis didn't derserve this.

knowing these people and not the victim, I am just in awe of how Karla could stoop so low to let a man like Pittman put her in this kind of position but I do not believe that Pittman killed Ms. Banks, I believe that Karla Hughes did not realize what she was doing and made the biggest mistake of her life by going through with what she actually ment to be a big scare for Ms. Banks hoping that she would scare her away from the good for nothing Pittman. Pittman was having the time of his life and he did not really care about either of the women. He was a stinking rat!

It seems she is more emotional in the defendents chair, then he is on the stand. I think an innocent woman will lose her life for a crime she has not done. Maybe his other affairs played a part in all this.

Came into this trial a bit late but durring my update I can't see how or why the defendant would want to kill. Come on now, she is beautiful and intelligent. She could have gotten much better than Pittman! I do think she did it only because all evidence points to her but it's just mind boggeling!

ALTHOUGH I CAME IN LATE ON THIS STORY JUST READING PITTMANS TESTIMONY LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT HE COMMITTED THE CRIME. WHY WOULD HE BRING GROCERY TO HUGHES & CALL HER RIGHT AFTER HE FOUND THE BODY & SAY YOU NOW KNOW WHY THE LORD SENT YOU TO ME. AS A JUROR THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH FOR ME NOT TO CONVICT. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE MURDER TOGETHER. WHY CAN'T MEN JUST LEAVE A RELATIONSHIP, PAY CHILD SUPPORT IF THEY WANT TO BE WITH SOMEONE ELSE THAT BADLY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO COMMIT MURDER. WHAT ARE THEY CALLED PYSCHOPATHS OR SOCIOPATHS BECAUSE THEY GIVE THEMSELVES AWAY WITH THE INABILITY TO NSHOW REAL REMORSE. VERY SCARY FOR PEOPLE IN RELATIONSHIPS BECAUSE YOU REALLY NEVER KNOW WHO OR WHAT YOU'RE WITH UNTIL ITS TOO LATE.

Since she was so in Love with him, who is to say she didn't get the gun and the knife for him. Did he have time to plant the shoe's? Was the girlfriend strong enough to kick in the door? Why would he call the girlfriend around the time his wife was killed? He has motive to pin this on the girlfriend. He " for the lack of better words has killed two birds with one stone". He frames the girlfriend for murder and gets to move on to another life with someone else that he claimes he did not know. He got rid of both issues in his life at the time. Now he is free to do what ever he feels like. He claims that the girlfriend was pushing for more than what he could give. Why would he run to the neighbors to call 911. Most people would grab the first phone they have, not leave the loved one that is hurt or in this case dead to call 911. What if the soon to be wife and mother confronted him about his affairs and she paid the price for it? Thanks

such a tragedy! i always thought carla was guilty because of the way news reports played out in jackson ms, but now i have a different opinion. i think pittman was definitely involved. the pictures they showed of carla in the media here are very different from what we are seeing in the court room.

I am not mad at just this guy for having an affair, but Ms Huhges as well. Women should have a code for resprect for one another do I have to know you personally to not have an affair with your husand-NO. This is like the game Monopoly, its been played for years-same rules. No matter if it is Chinese Monopoly- same rules. Ms Hughes knew all along that he was married. She agreed to all terms and conditions, this comes with the territory. It's not a verbal agreement per say, but a silent agreement. Men seem to be the only ones who are looked down on in these cases. but nthe fact is that some women feel that they have the tools to win over the man.

Good Day Jack,

To look at Miss Hughes you wouldn't think she's capable of murder, especially murdering someone who was pregnant. But life can be amazingly strange, as we know. However this man K. Pittman, I believe is very capable of orchestrating such a deceitful plan. It's not the first time we've seen a case where a man has manipulated a lover(Amy Fisher) to do harm to his spouse. Remember Joey Buttifuco? He did a real number on his wife(Mary Jo) & Amy Fisher, the girl accused of the shooting. I see a similar scenario with the Hughes case.

Altho' it's early in the trail, I don't think Miss Hughes did it. K. Pittman isn't worth killing for, no one is, I think Miss Hughes is smarter than that. My heart goes out to the Banks family.

Early Summation, Sherrie, S.C.

This man did not want a child. He found another woman and with his narcisistic/entitlement personality murdered his "fiance" and child to be free of a child and to be with the defendant and OTHER woman.

Hello??!! This jerk OBVIOUSLY manipulated these women and one is now deceased....he thinks 'the Lord sent " this woman to rid him of his fiance?? Pleeeeeease. He should be on trial right along side his 'heaven sent assassin'......

carla huges look a lot like missbank

Maybe Keyon Pittman's web of lies was starting to wrap around him to tight. If Carla Hughes was pushing him to leave Avis and Avis was pregnant and already complaining about having to work and he was facing having to support her and a baby he doesn't seem to excited about being born, then maybe he set up Carla for Avis's murder and he get's them both out the picture. Guys who are players will do crazy things to try and keep up that lifestyle.

Now for the real question! What woman could be that nieve not to have suspected he was cheating. With all the text messages and late nights, she'd have to think something. Maybe she confronted him and he killed her. He could have told Carla to borrow a gun because He could've told her Avis found out about their affair and was going to do something crazy. He did go to Carla's house before and after the murder. He could have used the gun, put it back at Carla's and told Carla to give it back in case the police considers them as suspects. Carla probably had no ideal that was the murder weapon. She probably gave it back in case the police questioned her and she was worried they think she was involved. Did anyone check the grocery store he purchased the food from?

I am disgusted by this man! Not all men are like this, but they wonder why us women refer to them as dogs!

This man's actions to the death of the woman he claims he loves and his own child!!!....and he's the one on the stand crying?!! PLEASE! I wish he was on trial for murder too!

This is what happens when there is a shortage of qualified African American men to go around (speaking as an A-A woman). Women want to believe what their men are telling them...believe that he's not dating anyone, fall in love and then discover he's married, engaged, gay, etc. Some women cry and move on...others murder! But where's the man in this...crying on the witness stand...on to the next piece.

If he could keep it in his pants his fiance and his baby would still be alive....God Bless their memory and I hope he rots in...well, you know where. God knows how to really give justice!

I think as a teacher you are soppose to be a role model to get kids on the right path.. He isn't being a role model at all and he went on with his life too easy and too fast.... i think he had something to do with it or he did it.... He texted Ms. hughes and was too calm... If I walked into my a place and my boyfriend was dead I sure wouldn't think about texting someone....

I am pretty sure that murder and cheating are different and carry very different consequences. All of you people rushing to judgement on this guy because of his testimony WHEN HE IS A WITNESS, NOT THE DEFENDANT is insane. I love that many of you point out that he was nervous on the stand like that makes him guilty. Would you not be anxious during testimony on a murder trial – especially when you know many people already think you are the killer. I would be nervous as hell. It really is guilty until proven innocent these days...

What I would like to know is, if one of these people killed Ms. Banks, how did the bloody footprint get on the back door of the house? If bloody shoe prints were found on the back door, then Ms. Bank's was already murdered and whoever kicked in the back door, did it to make it look like a robbery or home invasion. That right there should be a major sticking point in this case. In any case, whomever did it, be it Ms. Hughes or Mr. Pittman or both, I hope they get what's coming if they did it. My heart goes out to the Banks family, and pray that God will give them strength to go through with this trial. They will see and hear some things that will devastate them even more, but God says, WHAT IS DONE IN THE DARK, WILL COME OUT IN THE LIGHT. Hang in there folks; justice is coming for your loved one.

The best way to end a Love TRIANGLE is to do what Mr Pittman did ..... get another girlfriend and turn it into a SQUARE

I would like to reiterate on my previous comment:

The bloody shoes were found at Ms. Hughes' home, so who put them there? Why was Keyon running around with groceries and making phone calls to Ms. Banks' family when he needed to go next door to get the neighbors to call the cop?

I read a blog yesterday and a lady stated in the blog that she and Keyon had lunch or dinner and he stated some things to her. She claims that Keyon was having problems dealing with getting married and not wanting to go through with it. He did not want a kid either, and he stated to the lady that he really needed to do something. The lady also stated that thank God, when she found out that Keyon was planning to get married and had a baby coming, and now mixed up in a murder trial. She said she had dogged a bullet. Keyon sounds like he had a major axe to grind, and plenty of motive. He didn't want to get married and have a kid right then, because he was busy playing the fields.

Also I heard something about Carla Hughes. People who knows her stated that she was a spoiled brat, and her family had money, and if she didn't get her way, she would act out. Remembering from class when she was in grade school, one lady claimed she literally attacked a teacher with a pencil and tried to stab her, because the teacher wouldn't allow her to do something.

If you ask me, Ms. Banks never stood a chance against these monsters.

it's a shame that the press has to put out there that pittman showed no emotions doing the first day of the trail and when the police questioned him at first but today there's a picture of him crying. I wonder while he has been out the state of Ms has he cried about his going to be wife and the baby he will never have. See what cheating gets you when you live double lives.

I am not sure that Hughes is totally innocent however there is one fact that is certain. Pittman was involved! Within one year after the murder of his unborn child and fiancé he is able to marry? He testifies and his body language shows no real remorse. He’s crying and no tears? He’s just making faces!!! This man needs to be charged for something!!! If you take him out of the equation three people (Ms Hughes, Ms Banks and her unborn child) would have a different outcome on life!
LGoff ,NC

I don't really think the guy is guilty of murder, what he is guilty of is being a womanizer. I find it hard to believe that a man having his first child, not to mention his first son, would calculating kill is babys mama. He said she was passive and he pretty much did what he wanted in that relationship, and if he had any intention of leaving Avis he could have. I just don't believe the thought of having to pay child support would cause Mr. Pittman to murder. Be careful of a scorned woman every time. She (Ms. Hughes) doesn't look as innocent as she wants to portray. As far as crying, I think it was genuine, but how is pain gaged?

Good afternoon I believe Carla Hughes is innocent, Mr.Pittman has motive .....I find it perplexing that he would his fiances shoes.

I believe that they are in on this together. You keep saying how many different looks the defendant has. The only look I see is "emotionless". How dumb to borrow the knife and gun and then take it back? How dumb to visit and call your lover after you have found your fiance dead? How dumb to find your fiance dead... run around the house.... go to the neighbor to call the police... when you have a cell phone in your pocket? And to top it off... he gets married to someone totally different a year later? Wow! Dumb and Dumber is all I have to say!

All the blame should not be solely on Pittman. Ms. Hughes knew he had a pregnanat girlfriend. Why would you want to involve yourself with that drama. I don't know who did the deed, but GOD know and that person will definitely be judged.

The actions of Mr. Pittman the day of the murder are strange, as is the fact that Ms Hughes could have shot and stabbed a pregnant woman to death and be lying on the couch later when Pittman came to pick up his groceries. There are definitely some facts missing in this story. My biggest question, though, is why Hughes and Pittman didn't end up together after the murder, if this was the plan. If they stayed apart at first so as not to look suspicious, why didn't they eventually end up together? And if Hughes and Pittman planned the murder together, why wouldn't Hughes now be screaming that he helped her? If Pittman was not charged with the murder its because the evidence wouldn't support it. However, the evidence against Hughes is so obvious that you have to wonder if she could really be so stupid as to leave the bloody shoes in her apt, and borrow and knife and gun from her cousin and then just return them... I doubt we'll ever know the truth.

Again, liar liar! He was able to cheat multiple women when a child was on its way. I side with Walls.

Why was he calling someone when his gf and an unborn child were on their way to morgue, carried by authorities?

Too bad many judge this man based on his emotional appearance on the stand and that this judgment takes place over and over again in daily life. I'll be the first to state that I would be judged wrongly too based off emotional appearances during situations.

Everyone doesn't display emotions so easily as others, my wife tends to accuse me many times because of my lack of display as if it shows a complete lack of concern for the situation. I'd rather follow the evidence both circumstantial and forensics rather than judge based off someone's emotional response to a situation.

I'm an advocate of people taking responsibility for their own actions. It's getting far to old hearing how some man manipulated some poor woman into doing his dirty deeds and "stooping to his level". She knew right for wrong as did he. I think they should both be punished for the roles they played if they can proved he played a role.

Also, the defense got on Pittman about calling Carla while police were investigating the scene but my question is....WHY wouldn't he call someone he had someone been involved with despite the fact that it was only an affair!

Though Pittman said it was only sex or whatever there's still nothing strange about calling such a person (obviously a close person given the affair compared to friends who would also be called) upon going through any kind of event (murder, a car accident, injury, etc.)!

I can't wait to hear about the weapon and rather this woman testifies in her own defense though it looks unlikely that she'll testify

This man is a science teacher?? For heaven's sake, he appears as dumb as a box of rocks. Why text things that could be used to hang you and/or your lover later? Emails, texts....why didn't he just leave a trail of bread crumbs for the cops?

IMHO, they decided to get rid of Ms. Banks so they could "be together forever". I'll bet that Hughes is taking the heat so Pittman can be free. Silly rabbit, tricks are for kids, and this man pulled a fast one on you. Better start singing to the cops now before you go up for murder and Romeo walk away free to start more affairs with women as idiotic as he is.

They have the right person sitting in the defendents chair. She sits there all smug and showing no remorse what so ever for what she done to that poor lady and that unborn baby!!!!!!!! Although Pittman is a real scumbag and didn't care for this woman at all (b/c he was calling girlfriends instead of police) he isn't the one who pulled the trigger and didn't have ANY reason to ruin a good thing. No life insurance or any real property to gain and he had it all.

I believe that Mr. Pittman killed Avis and his unborn child. He referred to the death of this woman and their unborn child as a chain of events.
" If I would've been faithful to who I was with this chain of events would've happened." This is what this man stated on the witness stand. This man is heartless and I believe is incapable of loving anyone. Someone asked why would he kill her when he could've done what he wanted in the relationship. Well I believe that Mr. Pittman wanted to do something altogether different. As we can see he is now married to some other unexpecting soul. God help her. Why would he set Carla up? Why not? Someone has to take the blame.

I think that it's silly to talk about it being his first child and first son! It is alot of men whom can walk away with no problem .....that is why we have all the talk shows to prove that HE IS THE FATHER! I am only saying look at his body language gage that! His rage when asked simple questions about his engagement and such. Why was he so angry? I think that Karen L is on to something.....he was emotionless! Part of the time he was emotionless and part of the time he was angry. I could understand angry in the grieving process but he seemed to me to have really never grieved at all. I.E. he was still texting and calling Ms Hughes and the other lady(Bridgett) while he was next to the Ms Banks body! Oh yeah, let's not forget he never called for help instead he ran next door after talking to 3 people that could have called for help!

I believe Karla Hughes and Keyon Pittman planned this murder together. I believe Karla actually carried out the crime but Keyon helped. Then I believe Keyon turned on Karla and tried to pin it all on her. Neither Karla nor Keyon show any emotion at all. I saw through him crying yesterday as soon as he started. He lost the supposed love of his life and his unborn child and he couldn't even muster up a tear?? As for Karla, I noticed her paying a lot of attention to Keyon's testimony especially when he kept saying their relationship was just about sex.

As for the cheating aspect, that was between the three of them, NONE of us have the right to judge anyone when it comes to that. If you check in your closet, I'm sure you will uncover a cheater or two there too. Just because someone cheats doesn't automatically make them a murderer.

We can all agree Pittman is a low life seeing him shed tears now proves to me he had something to do with the murder it may not be directly but I feel he played a role in the murder of his fiance and unborn baby as far as Miss. Hughes she looks so unremorseful and unmoved on what she did to me she looks likes she is capable of murder

If she is found guilty, watch her come out of her corner and tell the truth and the truth is that they both planned it. Maybe he promised to marry her if Miss Banks was out of the way. I truly believe they were both involved.. Watch the firworks if she is found guilty. Until then she will keep quiet thinking she will be found not guilty. And you know what? I think she is right. She doesn't LOOK like a killer. But have you noticed...she has no emotion at all. Dead face. I don't know any of the players in this horrible story but I cried when I heard of this poor woman and her unborn child, a son, was murdered. How sad but she will walk and no one will ever have to pay for this horrific crime.

This is typical of the culture. no morals and no clue...

I feel that looking at Ms. Hughes and her demeanour, she seems to me like a very cold hearted woman who would do anything to get what she wants, even if it is somebody elses husband.

No amount of education makes a person's way of thinking chance. Especially if they really want something, they lose all morals.

I have a problem with the time line. 'Why is it just 15 minutes from 5:45 – 6:00 and he did not find her till 8 I think. Can they justify why they can determine the time of death so close to his allay bi?

My sincerest condolences go to the Banks family. Alvis appears to be a beautiful young women who certainly did not deserve to die in this manner. I don't know whether Carla was involved in the murder, but Pittman did have a motive. It's a relatively new motive for murder these days and is extremely repugnant. Perhaps that's why it escapes the minds of most people. I call it the Ray Carruth or Scott Peterson syndrome. Neither wanted the responsibility of raising a family or paying child support. Perhaps the same is true of Pittman.

This is sad, no way around it. Cheating is always a risk, but the stakes should never result in death. Let this be a lesson learned!

There is more to this story than this guy is letting on. I wouldnt be surprised if he was involved in it somehow. He never really cared about his fiancee. All he cared about was himself. Selfish men deserve no one.

yea.... something definitely isnt right about Pittman. I think he has more to do with the murder than he claims. "you now see why god sent you to me" wtf?! the mother of your child is dead! i think he put her up to it somehow... i hope he gets whats coming to him

Ok I can understand him being scared in court and maybe not shedding tears. My ex was killed and tears came out at awkward times an most often not when they should have. But he looked guilty the way he tried to MAKE himself cry. Carla may have had something to do with it but I think the guy is guilty. What about gun residue on pittmans hand? What about some knid of expert to test kicking a door in? Don't think she could have really kicked it in on her own. He borrowed her shoes for god sakes. And you really think anybody in there right minds would use a gun that would trace back to them/there family? She is educated and knew that bullets from the body would trace back to the exact gun....and he did have motive.1. Its not that easy to get out of a mortgage with somebody.2 he had no attachment to the unborn child. 3 he most likely had the knew chic then, that he is married to now! People cheat, females date guys that are invovled and married alll the time an never think twice about it. (Akeys)...all and all that's not even why he seems guilty he seems guilty from pure evidence!!!! Who doesn't use there cell to call 911? Cuz its and out of town phone? That's BS I have called 911 from my out of town phone before and they transfer you to the local area immediatly!

Might as well be a plan. Hughes killed Banks at Pittman's suggestion/orders. If that is the case I hope they all burn in hell!

Keyon is my first cousin and for one minute do I believe that he is NOT GUILTY! I strongly believe that he is involved in this crime and she should not be on trial by herself. She may even be not guilty because this is something that he may have planned and carried out and she is getting the blame for it. I truly hope that the truth will be told and if she is not guilty that the jury will rule as such. So sad that a young expectant mother to be slaughtered like that and all Keyon had to do was leave if he did not want her anymore.

He has a wife in Detroit and a daughter that is a toddler.

I would just like to say this whole is a mess. All of it. The theories, what-if, whys, etc. None of us will never know. Imoa, the only true judge is God. I feel sorry for all three families, especially knowing Carla. Someone stated earlier "they heard she was bratty and spoiled";so what, but NOT a killer. Just let the lawyers do their jobs, because the theories are getting over-the-top.

"He's Guilty cause he didnt shed any tears"....wow, the scary part is that the majority of you posting represent a part of America that has or potentially will sit on a jury. That scares me, no wonder we have so many innocent people in prison. Ignorance is not bliss to a defendant on trial.

I believe she did it. I believe he should be charged for manipulating the situation. The bottom line is that he did not want to be with one woman and he planted the ideas in the defendant's head that ultimately led to the death of his fiance. He is not innocent, he is simply crying crocodile tears.

I think that Carla hasn't told on Pittman because she is still probably thinking they will be together after she gets off. If you noticed, when he was saying that the relationship was all about sex, Carla didn't flinch! When he cried, she didn't flinch. Not even a smirk! He probably got married to try to cover his tracks. If he and Carla got together right away, it would look suspicious. Also, Carla was denied bail. So she's been in jail for the last 3 years.

this is a very disturbing case..pittman could be innocet, maybe he moved on so quickly because he was hurting so bad and jus wanted to feel loved so he rushd into another relationship and got married hopin to overcome the lost o his fiancee and child..maybe he feel he could make things right by marryingtis time without any affairs.then agan when he made those 3 phonecalls what were they about and why didnt they call th police. hughes culdnt possibly be innocent not when he cell was near a tower near pittmans home..let me guess he borrowed that too right? i think not..but he sound a tad bit suspicious becaus why wouldnt he take the groceries home instead of to hughes home.. after all his wife still wasnt home at 4 whn h supposedly went shopping...she also needs to take the stand.. hr life is on the line.....smh

My heart goes out to Ms. Banks family & friends. Ms. Hughes appears to be a broken woman. She spent 2 years of her life realizing how stupid her actions were. First she destroys two lives and the lives of the victim love ones. Then she destroyed her young life. Look at the guy she killed for. He moves to another state and marries another woman in 2007. Has it been one year before he marries another woman and who knows the countless other women. Itss totally believable that she snaps or it may been a joint task. But I really don't believe the joint task, because he was just a player, not caring about one particular person. Players don't care about feelings and what their actions are doing to you. Its' about fulfilling that physical or/and using need (materials etc.). See what happens when you don't love yourself first.

Good thing that dead girl is not my daughter or any kin as far as that goes! This scum bag is from the lowest part of the gene pool-the slime part! He tries to rule the world with his d..k I know he is hiding something! Too many discrepancies in his story. He had it too good, now, he has nothing but a guilty conscious. I hope he gets life without.
Peace, out!

I was a potential juror in this case but thank God I wasnt chosen to serve on this trial. I do not belive in the death penalty but I think Carla is guilty and Keyon is more guilty than she is.I cant see Carla kicking down a door but people always say never under estimate a person. The whole situation is sad.I couldnt see myself taking another woman's life over a man. Man come and go everyday..

He just has a problem......infidelity and now lying! They are both not worth the ground they walk on. The jurors need to see what a low life he is and see pass his lies. Both to them need to be sentenced to the PENN for life without parole.

Justice for Avis Banks will prevail – she will not go unwarranted or unheard!!!

I do not have any sympathy for him.He betrayed his fiance at all cost
and now he is an actor.Please charge him with crime.

my heart goes out to avis banks (r.i.p.) and all her family! so far in this trial im not totally convinced carla hughes is guilty,or at the least not guilty alone! keyon pittman should be the primary suspect on trial! i beleive all of this was his ultimate plan to start a whole new life! my views are subject to change as the trial plays out,but,so far thats how i feel! carla hughes,you are beautiful,but,if found guilty,its over for you! p.pitts,sc

After reading this article, I now believe that Pittman if not murdered his wife, helped Huges do it.

I pray that the truth comes to light.

Well I've been watching this trial since the first day and I dont think Keyon is guilty.Carla new he had a fiance and a baby on the way when she got involved with him.She put herself in that situation,because she thought she could take him away from Avis.This isnt the first time he's gone out of a relationship thats his character,he had no reason to kill Avis she wasnt a threat to him,he went home to her at the end of the day.Carla accepted her role as a mistress and then she couldnt handle her emotions and snapped.He was telling her what she wanted to hear and she believed it.Men do it all the time,women too, .Of course he's moved on and married someone other than Carla,why would he marry her when he wasnt going to leave Avis for her.Carla killed her and she deserves the death penalty.Coming from her backround she should have enough since to know if he was cheating on Avis ,he was also cheating on her. But as a woman she set her sights on a man who was already involved and decided to take him away from his fiance by giving him a key to her place and trying to show him she was better than Avis and when that didnt work she killed her.A person be it man or woman will only do to you what you let them.I would never date a man whom i knew was married or in a relationship thats a prescription for disaster.

Although Mr.Pittman appears to be faking emotions,I believe the investigators knew what they were doing by arresting Ms. Hughs. I'm sure as the trial plays out, more and more evidence will point to the defendent and she will be put away for a long time. I hope Ms. Banks family will eventually be able to forgive her, for it will help with their healing.Carrying hate in your heart too long can take an emotionl toll on you. God bless the Banks family.

I tend to agree with Lisa, you never know what kind of person you have until it is too late. I was reading this story, the sad part about it is people looking at it as the woman hughes is not guilty. Women of today feel it is okay to fool around with somebody else's man. They don't care.

If a man find a woman willing to fool with him and she knows he has a fiance or whatever, he will. He will just move on to the next if that one don't work out.

Now she isn't guiltless (that Hughes)woman. When you put yourself in that kind of situation what do you expect to happen. Women like that are just there no word to express them type of women.

That woman caused her death if she knew man was fooling around on her, in all reality she didn't know what type of person that Hughes woman was.

You have to be careful yourself when you call yourself staying with a man that cheats on you too. Eventually she's gonna want that man to herself.

He left his car engine on, he saw ms banks on the floor with blood. entered the house ( what if the killer was still inside?). he had a phone (but ran to neighbor?).sent a text message at the height of a shock!!!!!!!!.
His actions were really staged. He was acting out because he needed alibi.

This man may be a scum bag but that does not give this murderous skank a license to kill. She KNEW he had a fiance. She in my opinion tortured poor Avis to death. The death penalty is too easy for whores like Huges. She has no argument in her favor. I hope to see her put to death, as should be any woman in her position. It is only too bad there are not criminal penalties for those who have sex with people who are married or engaged.

Look at the evidence and at the demeanor of Carla Hughes: she sits without emotion in the court room, thinking she had a right to do murder for this worthless man. I understand the anger at the man, but the evidence goes all to Hughes as the murderer. IT WAS ENTIRELY HER FAULT that she became involved with a man who was nearly married. What kind of morals did she have that allowed her to do that? She had the kind of morals that encouraged her to commit murder. I would have had some tiny sympathy for her if she had killed Keyron. He might have deserved it. Not Avis.

I believe the killer to be Keyon Pittman...he wore the shoes, kicked in the door by way of the deadbolt, a task more easily done by a man.
If it were to have been done by Carla, she most likely would have kicked in the glass on the door. He got her to borrow the gun, and he used it and she returned it, all the while he was setting her up to take his fall.

This is a fascinating case. If I was a juror, I do not think I could convict because it seems that Keyon could have set up Karla. Too much access to Karla's apartment; in and out of Karla's apartment too many times on the day Avis was killed–bringing his groceries to Karla's house. Why would Karla be stupid and return shoes to her apartment? Nothing said about clothes with blood found at Karla's apartment. Borrowing Karla's shoes, (able to fit Karl'a's shoes) not dressing for basketball practice the day Avis was killed. If anything this case say Keyon could be the killer. Karla's written statement indicates he came to her apartment. He could have killed Avis before and brought groceries as an excuse to hide shoes. Keyon would know Karla borrowed a gun and knife from cousin. Just too many facts leads to Keyon.

He seems to be an opportunist and maybe he did want Karla because of her family's standing in the community. His testimony indicated to me Avis was too boring for him because of the way he described why he had other affairs. When I was in my 20s I had an affair with a co-wroker who was married–never thought about doing anything to his wife. And, if someone asked me if I had a relationship with him, I probably would have lied and said no we are just friends as Karla did when she talked to the police. Just too much Keyon in the picture.

As a ex coworker of Ms.Banks, my heart cries out for her family. They are very nice people who lost a very sweet girl.. If you saw the house, her dad had just helped her to put up the Christmas lights after Thanksgiving day. That was the last day he saw her. Mr. Pitman didn't help. I can still experience the furneral in my mind because it was so emotional and you knew how she died. Her death was an over kill and she didn't deserve it. Her co-workers will never forget her.

When a teacher is involved in anything inappropriate, society is outraged. The reporting is nation wide. What about when the inappropriate is levied against the teacher? Unless they are killed, you don't hear about it. Check the net and see how many assaults and abuse occur against teachers. Why don't we report these episodes nation wide? Why don't we hold students, parents, and administrators responsible for teacher abuse? Why isn't it important?

it's said that a robbery was stage to cover the murder,my question, is the defendant cable of kicking the rear door in with a dead bolt lock in place open

Has it been stablished as to how much pressure is needed to kick that door in with a deadbolt lock in place

i don't understand how the police could delete keyon from being a suspect knowing the evidence he could have killed Avis very easy kicking in his own door was the beginning of staging of the murders he and Karla shared shoes of course he could've put them back he had plenty of opportunites to frame Karla he didn't want either women maybe he just wanted both out of the way for his new wife and she shouldn't feel safe

I truly beleive the Keyon told Karla to barrow the gun from her cousin she had knowledge that he had the gun and panic because he had killed Avis with it so why did her cousin turned the gun in to police instead of getting rid of it??? that would have hepled Karla he turned the gun because he wasn't going to help Keyon they both know that Keyon killedAvis this case needs more investigating where in live the police solves 90% of the murders that happens and the city i'm from is alot larger than Jackson maybe Karla a big fish in a little pond someone might just want to make name for themslves

Do you think Carla's attorney reads the comments posted on here? Because if he does, he should feel pretty good about his client's chances.
This case has reasonable doubt all over it. Her attorney is doing the right thing. He's not hinting that Mr. Pittman could have committed this crime, he is saying out and out that Mr. Pittman DID commit this crime.

Sandra,
Mr. Pittman was enjoying cake from too many women. Mr. Pittman knew that it was only a matter of time before Carla would act on confronting Ms. Banks with the fact that she was having an affair with her fiancee.

Does anyone know if Carla's DNA was found on Avis' garage opener?

HOW DARE HE TARNISH THE NAME OF THE LORD LIKE THAT.
The senseless idiot was doing all kinds of lying, cheating, fornication, and more. Then he has the audacity to say God gave him the woman? Then he cries at the trial??? He never cared for anybody other than his selfish, greedy self. Because of his selfish actions, now an innocent baby and mother are dead. He should be further investigated as well. I don't see how anybody so hideous can claim to have more than one woman.

Yes he did have something to gain, Sandra! Not having to pay CHILD SUPPORT!

Scott Peterson comes to mind!

It's clear he didn't want Banks but probably didn't know how to unload her!

I really don't know if she is guilty or not, but she shouldn't be the only one on trial: he should be sitting right next to her!

Eventually the "other woman" wants to be the ONLY woman. A man can't keep banging a woman and not expect her to become emotionally attached to her. Not unless he's paying her (prostitute/john) situation... that better be his next route the next time he decides to cheat. Pay somebody. A paid companion is not likely to fall in love with you because she has several lovers and it's only BUSINESS!

so who killed banks?

I would like to know three things.

1.Why would Carla Hughes do a crime than put the bloody shoes in her closet? Thats just crazy.

2.How did Carla kick open that heavy door?

3.Why don't they question Keyon about the other woman that called Avis and Carla?He knows who that person was that called.

Wow, when I was watching that woman's testimony today on how she went to detroit to be with him and then she drop the bomb shell that she was married too. I was correct in my first statement he is nothing but a player. Why, would he kill his fiance? He was enjoying eating cake and pie and having it all at the same time.What was that woman thinking running off to Detroit to be with him 8 months after this terrible crime. She had enough information about this man by then and should have been running for hills. He was carring on with those two women, including her. I so believe they were having relations at the same time he was with the other 2. Both women look so stupid today, Carla and that woman, both looking at each other with anger. He played both of them and now married to some other woman. Just so crazy, I was watching Carla closely and thinking I know now she see she wasn't the only woman and just how STUPID she was and realize he didn't really want her. Just plain STUPID. Like I said before when you love yourself first you will not allow yourself to be in this situation in the first place. She knew he had someone else.

i can't beleive that the Banks family are helping the procecution with that damn remote that tells me that they really beleive Keyon is innocent even if he didn't do it he is the cause of it
Now to the judge allowing the state to call Mr.Banks as a witness is crazy because he been in the court room he had probably got from Keyon Pittman during the trail this should be an appeal

This whole ordeal has just been unbeleiveable for me. I know Carla from college and she seemed to be a very leveled-headed young lady;However, you never know what will push someone over the edge.
I pray that she really didnt do this.
On the other hand,Im sure that carla felt some pain behind Pittman's betrayal, but we all have the power of CHOICE. If she in fact killed Ms Banks she CHOSE to accept the consequences that are before her.

I feel deeply for Ms. Bank's family - what happened to her is beyond horrific and is unexcusable regardless of the situation. Keyon is TOTALLY GUILTY and RESPONSIBLE for what happened in that he played the biggest role in the whole matter – being involved with both women at the same time.

We can all speculate and assume but only God knows. I pray that the truth is found and that those responsible, INCLUDING PITTMAN, recieve their just due.

This case is such a tragedy....I have no sympathy for Mr. Pitman because regardless of if he actually committed the crime or played a part in carrying it out he is still to blame for toying with that woman's emotions. If Carla did committ the crime she is just as much to blame as he because we alll have choices and and the ability to make wise decisions. This unfortunate act has destroyed more than just the lives of Avis and the unborn child.....how sad. It is also unfortunate that this trial is having to take place in Madison County becuase they are notorious for being unfair and unjust to African Americans. I do believe if she is guilty she should pay suffer the consequences but can Madison County please keep in mind that the justice system does say innocent until proven guily??? When will the racisim and prejudice acts end????

I hope Pittman's present wife watched her husbands testimony. Hope she has smaller feet than his, too. Oh, and she better not borrow a gun when threatening calls come in. Just start going through your husbands cell phones and emails. This man is so dirty that he could very well be capable of setting someone up for this.

I personally no Mr. Pittman....He was my 7th grade teacher!! He was a great teacher and person to me but you cant judge a book by its cover.....You have to see through to his heart..........I hate the way that people are taking what he says and flips it around............... even if he didnt cheat she could have been a fatal attraction and still did what she did........... but no one really knows what happen but them.............. even if he had anything to do with it; everyone makes mistakes and deserves a second chance; and for the record.......... who wouldnt get emotional thinking about the loss of a loved one and unborn child???????????

If Ms. Hughes was innocent, why didn't she testify? She knew that Mr. Pitman was engaged. At anytime, she could have stopped the relationship and tell Mr. Pitman to leave her alone. She never did tell him to stop calling or talk to her. I pray that the jurors see this and make the rt. decision as guilty. Besides Ms. Banks family, her coworkers are just as upset with Mr. Pitman. He should've told the truth to Avis. Lies will always come back to hurt you in the long run.

pudden; please don,nt fall for this man act if he was so in love with Avis an the baby ,the affair with other womens!!!!,would,nt happen yes you know the teacher but the other person well the story go like this he was a ASS. now he have his own ,house to his self and no one to share it with. and if he had the life Ins on it for he an Avis it pay for good job keyon your plan work. but we know you guily as hell.......I ,AM i wrong this man is marry to someone now what the hellshe was thinking god!!!!!!!

I think Carla Hughes made a stupid choice in getting involved with Keyon Pttman. There's the issue of the gun and the knife. But it's hard to believe that a woman would kill another woman (a pregnant one at that) so viciously. I question why the police ddn't focus on Keyon Pittman more. You would think that a man who just found his pregnant fiance brutally murdered would have been a littl more emotional.
Did anyone check out Ms. Hughes' story about having used the gun for target practice? It would seem to me that that could easily be verified.

I think Pittman is as guilty as Carla. He used her to do his dirty work. I think she stabbed the victim and Pitman shot the victim. Why would a women stab and shot another pregnant woman? I think Pittman knew what was going to happen and he celebrated by flirting with the coach. Pittman was basically foricng out tears and at one point I thought he was cracking a smile. when Pittman was cross examined his attitude seemed as defensive. I do not think he is sorry he lose his fiance but celebrating in a sick way. I wonder did any one of them took a ploygraph test? I know it does not hold up well in court but it will make you wonder who is klying and tellin ghte truth. I pray and hope if Carla did not do this she will not be found guilty. If she did do this then God help her for what she has to deal with. If Pittman did this I hope he receives exactly what he receives. We are talking about professionals here and their conduct says a lot, a degree does not define you but your character does.

After reading some of the evidence, I believe they both are guilty, he did the killing, he kicked in that back door, maybe she went with him, I'm not sure on that one as of yet, but they both was in this together and I'm guessing she feels as though she dont want to tell it, because no matter what she is going to prison, but if it was me, I would tell it, did you see how she looked at him with disgused when he was on the stand.

One thing concerning Carla Hughs that I haven't heard is: When she borrowed the 38 caliber and knife for protection at her home, why return it in four days? I would have asked could I keep it for a few months to be sure I had protection if the intruder came again. You dont' return it in four days, feeling the intruder isn't going to return anymore.
Thanks

Mildred near Canton

I heard the District Attorney say the state/police extra time to prove Pittman do this crime would it not have been better to look at his clothing and Ms Banks clothing if he got the gun powder as he said There would have been other trace evidence to prove his statement and help the police prove there case I think they failed to prove there case they may belive she is guilty but they did not prove it This is a case where they want to take someone life good police work has not gotten to Rankin Co yet

somebody killed this young lady. i think miss huges was used,and she is still in shock over the whole thing. pittman knows more than he's admitting to. miss huges is between a rock and a hard place.

I think Carla should pay for what she did. What would Keyon Pittman gain for killing Avis, he had his cake and eating too. She was playing with fire messing around with a man she knew had a pregnant fiance.

when will black on black crime stop?

it is sad that now a days it's not up to proscuters to prove a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but up to a defendant to prove themselves innocent beyond reasonable doubt.If you can't prove you are innocent then you are going tojail

I am wondering why the question was never asked about the target practice. Only 5 shots for target practice? Also where was this target practice suppose to take place? If the gun was used for target practice why did'nt either side ask about the whereabouts of the location where it took place. There might have been shell casings there. There could have been witnesses also there at target practice. Also, if you borrow a gun for protection why do you return it just a few days later. I never heard anything about target practice or the whereabouts of it's location. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

I nerver believe carla committed this horrible crime ffom the start,now keyon started the fire,he think its over, not yet keyon there is a God.

Clearly the defendant chose not to take the stand in her own defense.
But, if she was truely innocent, why didn't she testify and tell the jurors
what they needed to here? The answers she might have given could
have saved her life.

Its plain to see if u watch enough first48 and crime tv then u too can beat capitol murder charges like keyon pittman did, he didnt want his cake taken away and he had to pay the costs of being a man and his motive was its not cheaper to keep her child support/alamony,hey mississippi's teaching salary is only so much. he had hennessy taste but e&j money.

also Carla's defense team never explained where she had target practice with the gun.....That really hurt her case.....by not explaining where the physical bullets and target practice was....

Ijust saw on cnn.com, that Carla Hughes has been convicted.I was surprised, believing that there was a conspiracy in this case. Intelligence doesn't give you the ability to plan a perfect murder with so many emotions involved. Many things are withheld in court for various reasons, so the jury is always partially in the dark. Carla obtained the gun that was used, which in my opinion shows deliberate intent and premeditation, which is enough to convict her. If Pittman was also guilty, that is for another day and another trial.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste......2 master's degree's and still wasted on what.....a womanizing, manipulater.......what a waste

I think there needs to be more investigation into this murder.What
did the police think about Carla's cousin giving her a gun and knife?
What did Pittman want with her shoes and when did he return them to her.What did the cousin think when he heard Avis was dead and was
killed with a knife and gun and that his cousin was having an affair with Avis's boyfriend? There are a lot of unanswered questions that
the detectives didn't get answers to.

I feel she was set up and now he is free of both women to starthis afairs all over again.

To Barbara,

There is way too many unanswered questions that have not been brought to light. Read my blog for 10/4 and you will be amazed at the amount of questions I have come up with. Keyon is guilty as heck.

carla father testified and said she was use to winning multi awards, horse race, beauty pagnents etc. she saw herself loose this love affair and could not stand to loose anger set in when so much anger set in strength come in. she was a religion person thats when the devil attack your mine. had she put her son first she would have been able to fight off that demonic spirit. at some point driving to Avis she should have snap back. i do believe she snap week leading to the murder she stage her on break in. if she had no money to buy a gun what make anythink she had something in her apartment.
her attorney knew the prosucutors would have tore her apart on the stand she was already bitter and week. she was told not to make faces not to cry that defense attorney was excellent but every pointed to her he was trying to direct attention away but still she was guilty her mother know her father know the young setting behind her with the wig and blanket the all knew in their heart the mother almost said something in her interview, she knew// my heart go out to both sides every one lost there is a no win situation in a senseless killing like this to daughters gone one grandchild and another one grows up without his mother i pray for the both sides of the family

This guy will know forever that he was responsible for this murder. Had he not thought he could play house with two women, his financee and child would be alive today.

I hope he feels like a dog because he acted like one.

Did the state or defense ever question Keyon about whether or not he put the grocery in the refrigerator when he found Avis dead? You surely wouldn't walk pass your dead fiancee's lifeless body to put up groceries!! Or would you?