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Jury Center :: Capital Case Data Project ::
Case details - 1st Quarter of 2005 (January, February, March) Christopher Hyde – white, age 30 Sentenced to death in Walker County, Alabama By: A judge, after a 10-2 recommendation of death by a jury Date of crime: 3/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Hyde went to a funeral home, asked to use the restroom in order to get in, and then robbed and shot to death June Williams, Rick Peterson, and Randle Lane. The victims’ belongings and the gun used during the robbery and murder were found at Hyde’s uncle’s house, the house where Hyde was living at the time. Hyde was arrested with one of the victim’s credit cards in his wallet. The defense argued the confession was false and there could have been more than one shooter. Hyde had previously been convicted of robbery and attempted murder in Florida, served eight years, and was released from prison four months before he robbed and murdered Williams, Peterson, and Lane. Prosecutor(s): Charles Baker Sources: Birmingham News 3/28/03, 9/11/04, 2/14/05, 2/17/05, 2/18/05, 2/19/05, 2/22/05, 3/25/05; Montgomery Advertiser 2/25/05; Miami Herald 2/27/05; Tampa Tribune 2/27/05 Mohammad Sharifi – white, age 33 Sentenced to death in Madison County, Alabama By: A judge, after a 10-2 recommendation by a jury Date of crime: 12/1999 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Sharifi killed his wife, Sarah Kay Smith Sharifi, and Derrick Brown, who was living with the newly married couple at the time. Sharifi shot both victims in the head, wrapped their bodies in plastic garbage bags, and dumped them in the river before he ran to California. Sources: Birmingham News 12/30/1999, 1/3/2000, 1/5/2000; AP Alert – Alabama 2/4/05 Vernon Yancey – white, age 25 (re-sentencing after an appellate reversal) Sentenced to death in Russell County, Alabama By: A judge, setting aside the jury’s recommendation of life without parole. Date of crime: 3/23/1995 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Yancey used a sawed-off shotgun to rob a grocery store and kill a store clerk, Mattie Sports. The robbery was recorded on the grocery store’s surveillance tape and another store clerk testified that Yancey robbed the store. During the penalty phase, the prosecution presented evidence that Yancey had multiple prior convictions which included a violent felony and was on parole when he robbed the store and killed Sports. Prosecutor(s): Donald Valeska II Sources: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer 2/19/2005, 2/24/2005, 3/17/2005 Sentenced to death in Pima County, Arizona By: A jury Date of crime: 5/26/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Police officers went to Cruz’s apartment during an investigation of a hit-and-run traffic accident. After Cruz gave the officers a fake name, Cruz ran and Officer Patrick Hardesty chased him. During the pursuit, Cruz shot Officer Hardesty five times at close range. The defense contested guilt on the basis that there were no witnesses to the shooting and there was a lack of physical evidence that tied Cruz to the gun. In the penalty phase, the defense presented evidence of Cruz’s dysfunctional childhood and that drug use affected Cruz’s judgment when he murdered Officer Hardesty. Prosecutor(s): Rick Unklesbay Sources: Arizona Daily Star 2/26/2005, 3/11/2005; Tucson Citizen 3/9/2005, 3/11/2005, 3/23/2005
Sentenced to death in Alameda County, California By: A jury Date of crime: 6/2000 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Alexander ran a sausage plant that had been in his family for 80 years and called himself the Sausage King. Alexander complained inspectors were harassing him after the plant was found to violate food-safety laws. When four inspectors went to the plant to deliver a violation, three of the inspectors went inside and the fourth waited outside. Alexander opened fire on the three inspectors inside of the plant and shot each of them. He then went outside and attempted to kill the fourth inspector, but he escaped. When Alexander returned to the factory, he found the three inspectors still alive so he shot them in their heads again. The prosecution had evidence Alexander talked about reacting violently to the inspectors before the murders occurred. There was also a video of the murders from the factory’s security camera. The defense admitted Alexander killed the inspectors but argued Alexander did not plan the murders; rather, he snapped out of anger. During the penalty phase of the trial, the prosecution argued Alexander had a violent history but the defense argued Alexander was pushed over the edge because he was afraid of losing the factory. Prosecutor(s): Paul Hora, Jack Laettner Sources: Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) 9/9/2004, 10/14/2004, 10/15/2004, 10/26/2004, 12/2/2004, 12/15/2004 Craigen Armstrong – black, age 19 Sentenced to death in Los Angles County, California By: A jury Date of crime: 9/27/2001 and 9/30/2001 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Christopher Florence was driving when Armstrong mistook him for a rival gang member and shot him. Three days after killing Christopher Florence, Armstrong arranged a meeting with Christopher Florence’s brothers under the pretense of giving them information about their brother’s murder. Three of Christopher Florence’s brothers and a friend went to meet Armstrong. Armstrong opened fire on their car and killed Torry Florence and Michael Florence. Brian Florence and Floyd Watson survived the attack and identified Armstrong as the shooter. The prosecution’s evidence included the gun used in the drive-by shooting and the sweatshirt Armstrong was wearing that had gun residue on it. The defense denied Armstrong killed Christopher Florence but admitted he shot Torry Florence and Michael Florence. Armstrong argued the drive-by shooting was in self-defense because the brothers had come looking for him to get revenge. The jury found special circumstances of multiple murders, murder during a drive-by shooting, and murder carried out to further the activities of a criminal street gang. Prosecutor(s): Sean Hassett Sources: Monterey County Herald (CA) 2/25/2004; Daily Breeze (Los Angeles) 1/6/2005; Los Angeles Times 12/7/2004, 1/6/2005; City News Service 1/5/2005 Sentenced to death in Contra Costa County, California By: A jury Date of crime: 7/30/2000 – 8/3/2000 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Glenn Helzer and his cohorts, Justin Helzer and Dawn Goodman, killed five people in an extortion and murder scheme. Helzer and his cohorts kidnapped Ivan and Annette Stineman, forced the Stinemans to write $100,000 in checks, and then killed and dismembered their bodies. Next, Glenn Helzer and his cohorts killed, dismembered, and dumped Selina Bishop’s body because they were afraid she could testify about their plan. Helzer then shot and killed Bishop’s mother, Jennifer Villarin, because they were afraid she knew too much. They also killed Villarin’s friend, James Gamble, because he was present in the apartment when they went to kill Villarin. Glenn Helzer pled guilty to the five murders. During the penalty phase the defense argued Glenn Helzer was mentally ill and under the influence of drugs when he killed his five victims. Prosecutor(s): Harold Jewett Sources: Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) 12/16/2004, 12/18/2004; Monterey County Herald 12/18/2004. Sentenced to death in Contra Costa County, California By: A jury Date of crime: 7/30/2000 – 8/3/2000 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Justin Helzer and his cohorts, Glenn Helzer and Dawn Goodman, killed five people in an extortion and murder scheme. Helzer and his cohorts kidnapped Ivan and Annette Stineman, forced the Stinemans to write $100,000 in checks, killed them, dismembered their bodies and dumped the body parts in the river. Helzer and his cohorts then killed and dismembered Glenn Helzer’s girlfriend, Selina Bishop, because they were afraid she would be able to testify about their plan if they were caught. They also shot and killed Bishop’s mother, Jennifer Villarin because they were afraid she knew too much. They also killed Villarin’s friend, James Gamble, because he was present in the apartment when they went to kill Villarin. Justin Helzer pled not guilty by reason of insanity but was found guilty by a jury. During the penalty phase the defense argued Justin Helzer was mentally ill and thought his brother was a prophet of God. Prosecutor(s): Harold Jewett Sources: San Jose Mercury News 8/3/2004; Oakland Tribune 8/4/2004; Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) 8/4/2004
Sentenced to death in San Mateo County, California By: A jury Date of crime: 12/24/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Peterson killed his wife, who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant and disposed of her body in San Francisco Bay. Peterson then reported his wife missing and began a massive search for her. After the remains of Laci and Connor Peterson washed ashore, Peterson was charged and convicted of killing Laci and Connor Peterson. The defense contested guilt on the basis that the case was based upon circumstantial evidence. Prosecutor(s): Rick Distaso, David Harris Sources: Los Angeles Times 4/19/2003, 2/3/2004, 6/2/2004, 11/4/2004, 12/1/2004, 12/2/2004, 12/4/2004, 12/10/2004, 12/14/2004, 3/17/2005; Modesto Bee 4/18/2005 George Williams Jr. – black, age 31 Sentenced to death in San Diego County, California By: A jury Date of crime: 4/1986 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Williams kidnapped 14-year-old Rickieann Blake from her home. He then raped and murdered her, and dumped her body off an exit ramp. In 2003, prosecutors matched DNA from the crime scene to Williams. In the penalty phase, the prosecution presented testimony from multiple victims who were violently raped or molested by Williams over the past 40 years. The defense presented evidence of Williams’s brutal childhood, his alcoholism, and a car accident in 1981 that could have resulted in a brain injury. Prosecutor(s): Jeff Dusek Sources: San Diego Union-Tribune 10/5/2004, 10/15/2004, 10/19/2004, 10/29/2004, 2/25/2005 Eduardo Santiago Jr. – Latino, age 20 Sentenced to death in Hartford County, Connecticut By: A jury Date of crime: 12/2000 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Mark Pascual wanted to hire someone to kill Joseph Niwinski because of an obsession Pascual had with Niwinski’s girlfriend. Santiago agreed to kill Niwinski in exchange for a snowmobile and his credit cards being paid off. Santiago enlisted the help of a friend, Matthew Tyrell, to kill Niwinski. Santiago, Pascual, and Tyrell went to Niwinski’s apartment. Santiago and Tyrell broke into the apartment, found Niwinski sleeping, and Santiago shot Niwinski in the back of his head. Pascual and Tyrell confessed and testified against Santiago. In the penalty phase, the defense presented evidence of an abusive childhood and lack of criminal record. Prosecutor(s): John Fahey, Donna Mambrino Sources: Hartford Courant 8/6/2004, 8/11/2004, 9/1/2004, 12/15/2004 Sentenced to death in St. Lucie County, Florida By: A judge, after a unanimous jury recommendation for death Date of crime: 5/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Bigham strangled Lourdes Cavazos to death in a wooded lot. Bigham’s DNA was found on Cavazos’s body and clothes. In the penalty phase, the prosecution told the jury Bigham had previously been convicted of killing a five-month-old baby, served 14 years in prison, and had only been released one month prior to killing Cavazos. The defense argued that after 14 years in prison, Bigham could live a productive life in prison even though he was unable to live outside of prison. Prosecutor(s): Lynn Park Sources: South Florida Sun-Sentinel 11/16/2004, 12/10/2004, 1/15/2005 Sentenced to death in Volusia County, Florida By: A judge, after a unanimous jury recommendation for death Date of crime: 10/25/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: McDuffie robbed the Dollar General store where he worked and killed two employees. He tied up Dawniell Beauregard and Janice Schneider with duct tape, stabbed them in the neck, and then shot them. McDuffie’s palm print was found on the duct tape used to tie up Schneider. The prosecution argued that McDuffie robbed the store because he was financially desperate. The defense contested guilt by arguing his palm print was the only physical evidence that tied McDuffie to the crime and could have been placed there during work. During the penalty phase, the defense presented evidence of McDuffie’s contributions to the community and lack of a criminal history. Prosecutor(s): Raul Zambrano Sources: Daytona News-Journal 2/24/2005, 2/25/2005, 3/3/2005, 3/16/2005; Orlando Sentinel 3/16/2005, 2/25/2005 Sentenced to death in Fulton County, Georgia By: A judge, Martin pled guilty and waived a jury for the penalty phase Date of crime: 10/1/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Martin was living with his girlfriend, Tykima Wright, when he came home late one night and stabbed her three times. He then stabbed her 12-year-old son, Savion Wright, and her grandparents, Ila and Travis Ivery. Tykima Wright survived the attack and was prepared to testify against Martin. Martin pled guilty to felony murder, murder, aggravated sodomy, and robbery. During the penalty phase Martin waived his right to a jury trial and the defense argued Martin was mentally ill and using drugs and alcohol at the time of the murders. After Martin was sentenced to death, the defense claimed the judge implied she would sentence Martin to life in prison if he pled guilty, but the judge denied this allegation. Prosecutor(s): Paul Howard, Ron Boyter Sources: Atlanta Journal and Constitution 3/25/2004, 1/5/2005, 1/7/2005, 1/8/2005 Sentenced to death in Camden County, Georgia By: A jury Date of crime: 6/9/2001 Prosecutor’s case/defense response: Walker and his cohorts rented a motel room where Janeika Murphy worked as a maid. Murphy used her universal key to sneak into their room and steal drugs and money. After Walker and his cohorts discovered it was Murphy who robbed them, they went to Murphy’s house and kidnapped her. They drove her to a rural area, shot her seven times, and left her body there. Walker was one of two shooters. The defense contested guilty by arguing there was a lack of physical evidence and testimony in the case was not credible because it came from convicted felons or drug dealers. The defense did not call any witnesses because they claimed the prosecution did not make a case. Prosecutor(s): George Turner Jr. Sources: Florida Time-Union (Jacksonville) 1/25/2005, 1/27/2005, 1/28/2005, 1/30/2005, 2/1/2005 Sentenced to death in Ada County, Idaho By: A jury Date of crime: 10/5/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Abdullah drugged his wife, tied a plastic bag around her head to suffocate her, and then set their house on fire. Four children, who were sleeping in the house when Abdullah set the fire, escaped. The prosecution presented evidence that included burns on Abdullah’s arms and that Abdullah purchased gas cans identical to the ones used in the fire the day before the fire. The defense contested guilt by claiming Abdullah was out of town when the fire started, but in closing arguments admitted he was in town at the time of the fire. Prosecutor(s): Pat Owen, Shawna Dunn Sources: Idaho Statesman 9/15/2004, 11/4/2004, 11/5/2004, 11/15/2004, 11/20/2004, 11/21/2004, 11/24/2004 Sentenced to death in County, Idaho By: A jury Date of crime: 9/24/2000 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Hall kidnapped and raped Lynn Henneman before strangling her with her own sweater. Hall’s DNA was found on Henneman’s body. The defense contested premeditation by arguing that if Hall killed Henneman it was out of panic or rage. In the penalty phase, witnesses for the prosecution included a woman who was raped by Hall in 1991 and two women who were previously assaulted by Hall. Hall had an extensive criminal history, had previously tried to escape from prison, and had been released from prison 10 months before killing Henneman. The defense presented evidence of Hall’s abusive childhood and drug use. Although not presented at trial, Hall is facing charges for the rape and murder of Cheryl Hanlon in March of 2003, which DNA evidence linked him to as well. Prosecutor(s): Greg Bower, Roger Bourne Sources: Idaho Statesman 10/22/2004, 12/23/2004, 10/27/2004, 10/28/2004, 10/29/2004
Sentenced to death in Cook County, Illinois By: A jury Date of crime: 6/27/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Alvarez-Garcia’s estranged wife, Maritza Baez, had taken a protection order out against him after he threatened to kill her several times. Baez was engaged to a Chicago police officer and was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with the officer’s child. Alvarez-Garcia saw Baez driving to work, retrieved a gun from his house, and shot and killed Baez while she was sitting in her car. He then drove to a restaurant to eat. Baez was rushed to the hospital where they delivered her baby by cesarean. The baby, Michelle, died three months later as a result of oxygen depravation from the shooting. Alvarez-Garcia confessed to the shooting and admitted he had been thinking about killing Baez since she took out the protection order because she was dating another man. Prosecutor(s): Robert Robertson, Nancy Galassini Sources: Chicago Sun Times 3/31/2005; Chicago Tribune 3/31/2005 Sentenced to death in Jefferson County, Kentucky By: A jury Date of crime: 3/1987 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Noble beat Lorenzo Harris, Charles Thompson, and Walker Ison to death with a hammer in three separate incidents over a week. In 1988 Noble was found incompetent to stand trial and he remained in a mental institution until 1997 when Noble was found competent to stand trial. The prosecution’s evidence included a confession by Noble. The defense contested guilt by arguing the confession was obtained by coercion. During the penalty phase, Noble presented evidence of mental illness including treatment for chronic paranoid schizophrenia. The jury sentenced him to death for the murder of Thompson and Harris, and life in prison for killing Ison. Although not presented at trial, Noble is facing charges for shooting Michael Cox to death in 1985. Prosecutor(s): Mac Shannon Sources: Cincinnati Post 12/18/2004; Courier-Journal (Louisville) 12/1/2004, 12/21/2004, 2/8/2005; Lexington Herald-Leader 2/8/2005
Sentenced to death in St. Louis County, Missouri By: A jury Date of crime: 7/26/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Johnson lured six-year-old Cassandra Williamson to an abandoned glass factory where he attempted to rape her and then beat her to death when she resisted. Johnson admitted to police that he intended to rape and kill Williamson. The defense admitted Johnson killed Williamson but argued Johnson should be convicted of second-degree murder. The defense presented evidence of mental illness and argued Johnson did not act with deliberation. Prosecutor(s): Robert P. McCulloch Sources: St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1/16/2005, 1/18/2005, 1/19/2005, 3/8/2005
Sentenced to death in Madison County, Nebraska By: A panel of 3 judges Date of crime: 9/26/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: During a bank robbery, Sandoval and his cohorts shot and killed four bank employees and one bank customer. The prosecution presented evidence that Sandoval was a member of the Latin Kings gang, planned the robbery, and shot three of the five victims. During the penalty phase the defense presented evidence of a troubled childhood and drug use at the time of the robbery. Prosecutor(s): Joe Smith Sources: Omaha World-Herald 9/17/2004, 12/14/2004, 12/13/2004, 12/22/2004, 1/15/2005 Avetis Archanian – white, age 45 Sentenced to death in Clark County, Nevada By: A jury Date of crime: 9/2/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Archanian was a part-time jewelry repairman at World Merchants-Importers. While robbing the store, Archanian beat to death the owners with a hammer and ring sizer. Juana Quiroga died in the store and Elisa Del Prado died two months later from her injuries. The prosecution presented the surveillance tape of the robbery, Archanian’s clothes which had blood on them, and $250,000 worth of jewelry that was taken in the robbery and found in Archanian’s car. During the penalty phase the defense argued Archanian was not a violent person and did not have a criminal history. Prosecutor(s): David Roger, Greg Knapp Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal 12/8/2004, 12/9/2004, 12/10/2004
Sentenced to death in Ashe County, North Carolina By: A jury Date of crime: 9/22/03 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Deborah Veler was at home with her 4-year-old grandson when Goss beat her until she was unconscious. After Veler was unconscious, Goss went to his parent’s house to retrieve a roll of duct tape and a change of clothes. Goss tied up Veler with the duct tape, stabbed her over thirty times, and slit her throat. Veler’s body was found with a knife in her throat and a knife in her back. After Goss killed Veler, he ransacked her house and wrote ‘I will kill’ on the sofa to make the murder appear as if it had been in a robbery or done by a crazy person. The prosecution’s evidence included a 23 page confession Goss made to the police. The defense admitted Goss killed Veler but contested premeditation with psychiatric testimony stating Goss had a personality disorder and used alcohol at the time of the murder. The prosecution also presented psychiatric testimony that stated Goss had an anti-social personality disorder but the disorder would not impair his ability to think or plan. During the penalty phase the defense argued Goss had a mental disorder and low IQ. Prosecutor(s): Graham Green, Tom Horner Sources: Winston-Salem Journal 10/25/2003, 2/1/2005, 2/2/2005, 2/3/2005, 2/5/2005, 2/8/2005, 2/9/2005
Sentenced to death in Randolph County, North Carolina By: A jury Date of crime: 4/27/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Two officers went to Polk’s house to serve an arrest warrant on him for assaulting his wife. Polk began fighting with the officers, took one of the officer’s weapons, and began shooting. Deputy Tony Summey was shot three times and killed and Deputy Nathan Hollingsworth was shot in the arm and injured. Polk pled guilty. During the penalty phase the defense argued Polk had taken responsibility and was remorseful for killing Deputy Summey. Prosecutor(s): Andy Gregson Sources: News & Record (Greensboro, NC) 4/28/2003, 4/30/2003, 5/9/2003; AP Alert – North Carolina 8/5/2004, 2/1/2005, 2/8/2005 Sentenced to death in Cuyahoga County, Ohio By: A jury Date of crime: 1/1/2004 Prosecution’s case/defense response: In order to gain status and a reputation as a drug dealer, Brown murdered two other drug dealers. Brown set up a meeting with Duane Roan and Tearle Toeran under the pretense of a drug deal so that he could kill them. When Roan and Toeran arrived to meet Brown, Brown forced them out of their car, shot them, and drove off in their car. The prosecution’s evidence included testimony from Brown’s fiancé who witnessed the shooting, Brown possessed the gun used in the murders when he was arrested, and the victim’s car was found at Brown’s mother’s house. The defense admitted Brown killed Roan and Toeran but argued the murders occurred when a drug deal went bad and were not premeditated. Prosecutor(s): Steven Dever, Frank Goldberg Sources: Cleveland Plain Dealer 2/7/2005, 2/17/2005, 2/19/2005, 2/19/2005, 3/8/2005 Sentenced to death in Canadian County in Oklahoma By: A Jury Date of crime: 10/18/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Eizember beat to death 76-year-old A.J. Cantrell and fatally shot Patsy Cantrell, 70. Eizember entered their home when the Cantrells were away, but they returned to their home to find Eizember there with a shotgun. Cantrell was beaten with the butt of his own shotgun. Eizember admitted killing Mr. Cantrell, but he denied shooting Mrs. Cantrell. The defense argued that Eizember had a difficult childhood and suffered from depression. Eizember had also been found guilty of shooting with intent to kill his ex-girlfriend’s 16-year-old son, Tyler Montgomery, and had also beaten his ex-girlfriend’s mother, Karla Wright. Defense attorneys argued that Eizember had not planned to kill the Cantrells, but instead went into their home to spy on the home across the street where his ex-girlfriend, Katherine Biggs, was staying. When he fled from the Cantrell’s home, Eizember stole a vehicle and drove to Arkansas where he allegedly kidnapped a doctor and his wife at gunpoint and forced them to drive him to Texas. Prosecutor(s): Mike Loeffler Sources: Muskogee Daily Phoenix & Times Democrat 2/24/05, 2/25/05, 2/26/05, 3/25/05; The Tulsa World 2/23/05 Keary Littlejohn – black, age 20 Sentenced to death in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma By: A jury Date of crime: 3/19/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Littlejohn participated in a carjacking at a convenience store that resulted in the death of Gregory Rogers, Jr., 22. Rogers was shot in the back by one of Littlejohn’s three co-defendants when Rogers tried to run away from the four men attempting to steal his car. The defense contested guilt by arguing that Littlejohn did not get out of the car at the scene of the crime and hadn’t planned a murder. During the penalty phase, the defense argued that Littlejohn did not fire the shot that killed Rogers and Littlejohn should be spared because his actions were a result of no parental guidance and a drug addiction. The prosecution argued that Littlejohn deserved no sympathy because he handed his gun to the shooter, making himself an integral part of the killing. The prosecution also pointed to the testimony that the victim was killed because he had seen a defendant’s face, arguing that the defendant was a continuing threats to society. Prosecutor(s): Sandra Elliott, Gayland Gieger Sources: The Daily Oklahoman 2/2/05, 1/25/05, 4/8/04, 1/18/03, 1/9/03, 1/8/03, 1/7/03, 9/21/02, 5/3/02, 4/27/02, 4/26/02 James Frey, Jr. – white, age 45 Sentenced to death in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania By: A judge (Waived jury, requested death penalty) Date of crime: 1/5/2004 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Frey abducted his estranged wife, Debra Frey, 45, when she got off work, drove to a remote area, and shot and killed her before trying to kill himself. After shooting himself in the chest, he remained in the vehicle for 10 hours before calling 911. Frey told authorities he killed Debra Frey because he was upset that she left him. Frey had sent a suicide letter to an ex-wife saying he was going to kill his current wife and himself. Debra and James Frey married shortly after he was released from a nine-month prison term for indecent assault on a 15-year-old. Frey pleaded guilty, waived his right to a jury, and requested a death sentence. Prosecutor(s): Anthony Rosini Sources: AP Alert – Oregon 1/7/04, 1/9/04, 1/13/04, 2/18/04; AP Alert - Pennsylvania 2/9/05, 2/23/05; The Intelligencer 2/23/05. Sentenced to death in Richland County, South Carolina By: A judge Date of crime: 7/10/2002 and 8/8/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Allen confessed to killing Dale Hall, 45 and Jedediah Harr, 22. Allen is serving a life sentence for two killings that took place while he was on the run from authorities during the same killing spree – convenience store worker Richard Hawks, 53, and customer Robert Roush, 29. Before killing Hawks and Roush, Allen shot and injured a homeless man in a park. Shortly thereafter, he shot Hall in the leg, stomach and head with a 12-gauge shotgun and burned her body. Harr was shot in his car outside a restaurant during a confrontation. Allen also admitted to setting fires to a home and two cars. Defense attorneys argued that the crimes were committed because Allen was suffering from schizophrenia and the defense emphasized Allen’s poor upbringing. Prosecutors argued that Allen was malingering. Prosecutor(s): John Meadors, Barney Giese Sources: Columbia State 3/13/05, 3/15/05, 3/18/05, 3/19/05; Myrtle Beach Sun News 3/19/05
Sentenced to death in Spartanburg County, South Carolina By: A Jury Date of crime: 2/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Evins raped and killed Rhonda Ward Goodwin, 32, a convenience store clerk, and dumped her naked body in an apple orchard. The prosecution argued Evins’s testimony on the stand that he killed Goodwin in self defense was inconsistent with what he had previously told authorities. The prosecution also highlighted Evins’s criminal history, which included other sexual misconduct. Goodwin had been stabbed 12 times. Evins used the money he stole from Goodwin to buy drugs. Evins was also charged in the death of Damaris Huff, whose body was found in a park after having been strangled. Prosecutor(s): Trey Gowdy, Barry Barnette, John Anthony Sources: AP Alert – South Carolina 11/18/04, 11/15/04; Spartanburg County Government Web site, 2004 Press Releases: http://www.co.spartanburg.sc.us/govt/depts/sol/fredrick_evins2.htm
Sentenced to death in Sumter County, South Carolina By: A jury Date of crime: 2/26/1996 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Stone killed police Sgt. Charlie Kubala during a home burglary. Kubala had responded to a 911 call from the home of Ruth Griffith. Griffith and her next door neifghbor, Landrow Taylor, were inside the home and heard three or four gunshots. When another police officer arrived, he found Kubala had been shot in the right ear and neck. Stone was found four hours after the incident hiding under two fallen trees. There was a .22 caliber pistol under him. Stone confessed to having killed Kubala, but said he had been intoxicated at the time of the shooting. Stone said when he heard someone yell at him, he turned and the gun went off, which in turn caused him to run. Prosecutor(s): C. Kelly Jackson Sources: State v. Stone, 567 S.E.2d 244 (S.C. 2002); Columbia State 2/28/2005; Augusta Chronicle (S.C.) 3/1/2005 Sentenced to death in Greenville County, South Carolina By: A jury Date of crime: 9/3/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Williams killed his ex-girlfriend, Maranda Williams, 24, not related, after a hostage standoff at a supermarket where she worked. After two hours of being held in the grocery store, Maranda Williams was shot three times in the back with a sawed off shotgun when she tried to escape. A notebook was found in Charles Williams’s residence, and inside the notebook was Maranda Williams’s work schedule, a layout of the store where the killing took place, and a checklist for the murder. Witnesses testified that Williams was stalking the victim a few months before the slaying. The prosecution relied primarily on a videotape of Williams at the store with a gun, taped 911 converations, and testimony from relatives and friends regarding Maranda Williams. The defense highlighted Williams’s mental illnesses, social problems, and troubled past. Prosecutor(s): Bob Ariail, Betty Strom Sources: Greenville News 2/13/05, 2/16/05, 2/18/05, 2/19/05, 2/20/05 Sentenced to death in McMinn County, Tennessee By: A jury Date of crime: 12/14/1999 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Hester bound and gagged his ex-wife, Dora Hester, and 77-year-old Charles Haney in Haney’s mobile home and threatened them with a knife before throwing kerosene on the victims and the home and setting fire to the trailer. Haney died from intense heat and from breathing the fire. Dora Hester was critically wounded, and had her legs amputated. Dora Hester was a caregiver for the elderly man, but her ex-husband was also staying in the mobile home with them. Dora Hester testified at trial that H.R. Hester became upset because she would not give him money for alcohol. H.R. Hester was found at a wrecker service near the mobile home; he smelled of kerosene and had burned hands. Acquaintances had heard him threaten to kill his ex-wife. The defense argued that it was a crime of passion and that Hester was worried he was losing his ex-wife to the elderly man. Prosecutor(s): Jerry Estes, Shari Tayloe Sources: Knoxville News-Sentinel 3/12/05; Chattanooga Times Free Press 3/12/05, 3/14/05
Sentenced to death in Hidalgo County, Texas By: A jury Date of crime: 1/5/2003 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Garza was one of 13 charged in the slayings of six men who died from gunshot wounds and whose bodies were found in and around two homes. Garzo did not participate in the shootings, but after cooperating with officials, the prosecution had enough evidence to link him to approving and setting up the crime. Police testified that Garzo said he was a captain in a gang, and at least two of the victims were identified as members of a rival gang. Defense attorneys argued that Garza knew only of a plan to steal marijuana and had not planned on killing anyone. Garza drove a stolen vehicle to the crime scene, but remained in the vehicle. During sentencing, defense attorneys argued Garza had given his life to God while in prison and was changed and also emphasized his cooperation with the police after his arrest; the prosecution argued that Garza was a continued threat to society. Prosecutor(s): Murray Moore, Joseph Orendain Sources: The Monitor (McAllen, TX) 3/19/05, 2/24/05, 5/10/05 Sentenced to death in El Paso County, Texas By: A jury Date of crime: 10/28/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Hall strangled Melanie Billhartz, 29, with an electrical cord and left her body in a desert. Prosecutors argued that Hall killed Billhartz to keep her from telling authorities about a meth laboraratory. Chase Hale, a mutual acquaintance of Hall and Billhartz, led police to the body and testified that Hall admitted that he killed Billhartz. Prosecutors argued that several people said Hall killed Billhartz, including Hall himself through a voluntary statement to police. The defense attorneys argued that Hale was the real killer and that the police carried out a poor investigation. Billhartz was killed while Hall was out on bond on another unrelated murder charge. Prosecutor(s): Bill Hicks Sources: El Paso Times 1/24/05, 1/25/05, 2/9/05, 2/19/05
Sentenced to death in Bexar County, Texas By: A jury Date of crime: 2/26/2004 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Preyor slashed 24-year-old Jami Tackett’s throat and stabbed her multiple times when he broke into her apartment during an attempted robbery. She also suffered multiple defensive wounds. Tackett bled to death. Tackett’s boyfriend, Jason Garza, 20, was also stabbed during the incident, but he survived. Preyor told authorities that he was going to Tackett’s apartment to buy drugs from her. He claimed that when he entered her apartment, Tackett and another man began beating him and he drew his knife in self defense and “poked” her with it. Prosecutors said Preyor was not trying to defend himself because it was clear the door had been knocked down before the murder and a gun had also been found on the bumper of his vehicle. The defense argued it was Garza who broke down the door as he was leaving the apartment. Prosecutor(s): Melisa Skinner Sources: San Antonio Express-News 3/15/05, 3/11/05, 3/10/05, 3/8/05, 2/27/04 Sentenced to death in Grayson County, Texas By: A jury Date of crime: 3/2004 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Thomas was convicted of one charge of capital murder for killing his estranged wife’s one-year-old daughter, Leyha. He also admitted to killing his estranged wife, Laura Boren Thomas and their son, Andre Boren. The three had been stabbed to death and the victims’ hearts had been cut out. Two of the hearts were found at Thomas’s house. While being held in the county jail, Thomas ripped his own eye out of its socket. Prosecutor(s): Kerye Ashmore, Joe Brown Sources: Fort Worth Star Telegram 3/13/05, 3/8/05; Charlotte Observer 4/7/04; Herald Democrat (http://www.heralddemocrat.com/) 5/24/05, 6/14/05
Sentenced to death in federal district court for the District of South Carolina By: a jury Date of crime: 11/2002 Prosecution’s case/defense response: Basham and his co-defendant, Chadrick Fulks, carjacked, kidnapped, raped and killed Alice Donovan, a law professor. The men attacked her in a Wal-Mart parking lot after they escaped from a Kentucky jail. They are also accused of kidnapping another man, as well as kidnapping and killing Samantha Burns, a 19-year-old West Virginia college student. When the federal judge said Basham could not have tobacco dip in the courtroom, Basham had to be wrestled to the floor by authorities twice during trial – but the jury was not present for the altercations. Neither Donovan’s nor Burns’s body has been found. During another attempted carjacking, Basham pointed a gun at Deanna Francis and her daughter, Andrea, in a Wal-Mart parking lot and tried to force his way into her car. The defense attempted to show Fulks was manipulative and was the leader of the pair and emphasized Basham’s shaky mental health. The prosecution pointed to Basham’s criminal and violent history. Prosecutor(s): Scott Schools Sources: Myrtle Beach Sun-News 9/12/04, 9/21/04, 9/22/04, 10/29/04, 11/3/04, 11/7/04; Charlotte Observer 9/22/04, 9/28/04, 10/3/04, 10/14/04; The State (Columbia) 11/5/04; The Lexington Herald Leader 12/14/04; Charleston Daily Mail 2/15/05 |
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