Three men charged with capital murder in the slaying of a 6-year-old Little Rock girl will be tried separately. A judge today granted the defense request to sever the trials of 18-year-old Kevin Lawrence Banks; 20-year-old Ricky Dale Smith; and 21-year-old Marqus Tyrell Smith. The three are accused of killing Kamya Weathersby. The child was in her bed watching cartoons the night of December 29th when dozens of shots were fired into her home. Police say the violence stemmed from a dispute over an earlier killing. The prosecution did not object to the defense request for separate trials.

Banks' trial will be Wednesday. Ricky Dale Smith goes on trial November 24th, and Marqus Tyrell Smith is to be tried, beginning January 12th.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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