By BENNIE IVORY
The Sentinel-Record 2-17-1978

The first-degree murder trial of Hot Springs Police Lt. Thurman Abernathy, who is charged in the death of Garland County Sheriff’s Deputy Linda Edwards, has been continued indefinitely in Hot Spring County Circuit Court.

The trial was scheduled to begin next Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Hot Spring County Circuit Clerk’s office Thursday said the trial was continued at the request of defense attorney Jack Holt, Jr., of Little Rock.

The spokesperson said a meeting is scheduled for this morning between Holt, Hot Spring County Prosecuting Attorney John Cole and Circuit Judge Henry Means to discuss a new trial date.

Abernathy is accused of murdering Mrs. Edwards, who was reported missing on Aug. 22, 1976, when she failed to return to her babysitter to pick up her children. He is on indefinite suspension from the police department, pending the outcome of the trial.

Mrs. Edwards reportedly was about four months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. Her skeletal remains were found last February on Jack Mountain, just inside the Hot Spring County line, by wolf hunters.

Abernathy was charged in connection with the woman’s death about four months later.