Post by sclcookie on May 31, 2006 2:00:50 GMT -5
Midland DA: Odessan won't face death penalty
A 36-year-old Odessa man indicted in the deaths of his estranged wife and her friend will not face the death penalty, Midland County's district attorney said.
"We had a team meeting, we reviewed the background of the defendant's prior criminal history, and we reached an opinion that a Midland jury would not find that he would be a continued threat to society," Al Schorre said. Schorre said if a jury doesn’t determine that someone will be a continued threat, then a death penalty sentence is instantly ruled out.
Pacheco was indicted April 5 in connection with the deaths of Barbara Ann Pacheco, 33, and 39-year-old James "Eric" Wiggs - both teachers at Cavazos Elementary in Odessa.
Pacheco is accused of killing the 2 on Jan. 17 in Midland. Police have said the killings stem from a long-running domestic dispute.
A trial date has tentatively been set for July 31 in the 238th District Court.
Pacheco remained Friday in the Midland County Detention Center on bonds totaling $1,060,000.
(source: Odessa American)
A 36-year-old Odessa man indicted in the deaths of his estranged wife and her friend will not face the death penalty, Midland County's district attorney said.
"We had a team meeting, we reviewed the background of the defendant's prior criminal history, and we reached an opinion that a Midland jury would not find that he would be a continued threat to society," Al Schorre said. Schorre said if a jury doesn’t determine that someone will be a continued threat, then a death penalty sentence is instantly ruled out.
Pacheco was indicted April 5 in connection with the deaths of Barbara Ann Pacheco, 33, and 39-year-old James "Eric" Wiggs - both teachers at Cavazos Elementary in Odessa.
Pacheco is accused of killing the 2 on Jan. 17 in Midland. Police have said the killings stem from a long-running domestic dispute.
A trial date has tentatively been set for July 31 in the 238th District Court.
Pacheco remained Friday in the Midland County Detention Center on bonds totaling $1,060,000.
(source: Odessa American)