Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 1, 2006 4:00:23 GMT -5
Jury deliberates for only an hour before decision
By TRACIE TROHA Staff Writer
VICTORVILLE — A jury Thursday — after deliberating just one hour — found murderer Samuel Lee Capers eligible for the death penalty for the brutal way in which he killed a Barstow couple some eight years ago.
Attorneys from both sides said they were surprised by the 10-man, two-womenjury's speedy decision.A jury of 10 women and two men came to their decision after deliberating for only an hour. Attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense said they were surprised by the seemingly quick decision.
"Apparently they thought (the case) was clear-cut," said Deputy District Attorney Steve Sinfield.
Charlene Garcia, the victims' daughter, said the verdict has finally given her some closure.
"I never believed in the death penalty until I saw what (Capers) did," Garcia said, adding that it was a "senseless act."
The bodies of Garcia's father and stepmother, Nathaniel and Consuelo Young, were discovered brutally mutilated and burned on Nov. 10, 1998, at their store, T's Galore and More. Evidence in the case also suggested Consuelo may have been raped before she was killed.
Capers, 32, was convicted on June 12 of numerous counts of murder, robbery, arson and rape.
"(Capers) didn't steal anything of value," Garcia said. "He should have just let them go and not ruin this many people's lives."
Garcia said the murders tore her family apart, and she has been receiving counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Defense attor ney Samuel Saltalamacchia said Capers' case will be automatically appealed to the state Supreme Court.
"I respectfully disagree with the jury's verdict," Saltalamacchia said.
Capers, on the other hand, sent a letter to District Attorney Michael Ramos asking to be sentenced to death.
In the letter, postmarked May 31, 2003, Capers wrote there will be "blood on the county's hands" if he was given a life sentence.
Sinfield, who sought the death penalty, said the jurors did a "very good job."
Capers' sentencing is set for Sept. 1 at the courthouse in Victorville.
Source:
www.vvdailypress.com/2006/115167539949479.html
By TRACIE TROHA Staff Writer
VICTORVILLE — A jury Thursday — after deliberating just one hour — found murderer Samuel Lee Capers eligible for the death penalty for the brutal way in which he killed a Barstow couple some eight years ago.
Attorneys from both sides said they were surprised by the 10-man, two-womenjury's speedy decision.A jury of 10 women and two men came to their decision after deliberating for only an hour. Attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense said they were surprised by the seemingly quick decision.
"Apparently they thought (the case) was clear-cut," said Deputy District Attorney Steve Sinfield.
Charlene Garcia, the victims' daughter, said the verdict has finally given her some closure.
"I never believed in the death penalty until I saw what (Capers) did," Garcia said, adding that it was a "senseless act."
The bodies of Garcia's father and stepmother, Nathaniel and Consuelo Young, were discovered brutally mutilated and burned on Nov. 10, 1998, at their store, T's Galore and More. Evidence in the case also suggested Consuelo may have been raped before she was killed.
Capers, 32, was convicted on June 12 of numerous counts of murder, robbery, arson and rape.
"(Capers) didn't steal anything of value," Garcia said. "He should have just let them go and not ruin this many people's lives."
Garcia said the murders tore her family apart, and she has been receiving counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Defense attor ney Samuel Saltalamacchia said Capers' case will be automatically appealed to the state Supreme Court.
"I respectfully disagree with the jury's verdict," Saltalamacchia said.
Capers, on the other hand, sent a letter to District Attorney Michael Ramos asking to be sentenced to death.
In the letter, postmarked May 31, 2003, Capers wrote there will be "blood on the county's hands" if he was given a life sentence.
Sinfield, who sought the death penalty, said the jurors did a "very good job."
Capers' sentencing is set for Sept. 1 at the courthouse in Victorville.
Source:
www.vvdailypress.com/2006/115167539949479.html