Houston DA files for death penalty in decades-

[Anja]

Houston DA files for death penalty in decades-old murder case


Houston County District Attorney Kelly Burke officially filed notice today
that he is seeking the death penalty in the murder trial of a Warner
Robins man whose 1984 conviction was overturned by the state's highest
court.

The notice of intention filed in Houston County Superior Court cites
aggravating circumstances in the armed robbery and slaying of the
24-year-old Warner Robins convenience store clerk Taressa Stanley during a
botched convenience store robbery.

Timothy Johnson, at 22, pleaded guilty in 1984 to shooting Stanley, the
mother of three little girls. He was given life in prison. In April, the
Georgia Supreme Court threw out the plea deal and overturned his
conviction.

Johnson was recently re-indicted by a Houston County grand jury.

The next step will be the appointment of an attorney to represent Johnson
in his capital murder trial of a crime that took place more than 20 years
ago. The appointment of the attorney is already creating controversy.

(source: Macon Telegraph)

[soulja]

This is horrible. How can they go after a death sentence when they didn't in the first place? This is a blood hungry DA. All of the work was done for him in the plea deal. He doesn't have to do much in making a case beit that the defendant might have given full details in that plea deal. This is a criminal act on behalf of the DA. This man has no fair chance.
1. He's in Texas
2. He did a plea agreement years earlier
3. His case is all over the paper
4. Anyone who wants to get the public record can. (JUROR)