Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 26, 2006 22:48:54 GMT -5
murders
A San Diego jury recommended Tuesday that an Orange County man convicted of murdering 2 Lindbergh Field-area parking lot workers be executed for his crimes.
Jeffrey Scott Young, 32, was convicted Oct. 20 of murdering a man and a woman 7 years ago at the Five Star Park Shuttle & Fly lot.
Judge John Thompson scheduled a hearing for Sept. 22 at which he is expected to decide whether to follow the jury's recommendation. Judges have the option of choosing instead to impose sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole in capital cases, but rarely do.
Booth operator Teresa Perez, 31, of San Ysidro, and manager Jack Reynolds, 44, of National City were gunned down July 18, 1999, during a botched robbery at the parking lot. Their bodies were found on the floor of a business trailer on the property on Pacific Highway near Sassafras Street.
Each had been shot in the head.
Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth McClutchey argued during the trial that Young shot Perez at close range to eliminate a witness who could identify him as 1 of 3 armed robbers who targeted the business. She described the killing as a "cold-blooded execution."
The prosecutor said another man, Max Anderson, fatally shot Reynolds, but Young could be held responsible for the killing because it happened during a robbery in which he participated.
No further information about Anderson or David Raynoha, another man charged in connection with the shooting was available because the judge has issued a gag order preventing the attorneys from discussing the case.
McClutchey argued that after the murders, Young bought a pair of red boot laces a badge of honor among skinheads to commemorate the event. Prosecutors said Young was linked to the white supremacist group.
After he was convicted of murder, Young's lawyers tried to persuade the jury during the penalty phase of the trial to spare his life, arguing that he had a troubled childhood and a history of drug abuse.
Defense attorney Inge Brauer argued that it wasn't necessary to send Young to death row because spending the rest of his life in prison would be punishment enough.
"There is nothing that can mitigate the pain of the victim's family,"
Brauer told the jurors. "Mercy is decent. Mercy can make you proud."
This was the 2nd jury to hear the case. The 1st jury convicted Young of the crimes but deadlocked over whether he should receive the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The vote was 11-1 in favor of sending Young to death row.
The 2nd jury then reheard the penalty phase of the trial before voting for his execution.
After the verdict was read, members of Perez's family tearfully thanked the jurors as they filed out of the courtroom.
Perez's brother-in-law Joe Bravo shook hands with members of the panel and said, "Thank you on behalf of Teresa." He and his wife, Amada, the victim's sister, said they felt justice had been served.
"It's been very emotional," Bravo said outside the courtroom. "We're just glad that it's over. It's all about Teresa."
(source: San Diego Union-Tribune)
A San Diego jury recommended Tuesday that an Orange County man convicted of murdering 2 Lindbergh Field-area parking lot workers be executed for his crimes.
Jeffrey Scott Young, 32, was convicted Oct. 20 of murdering a man and a woman 7 years ago at the Five Star Park Shuttle & Fly lot.
Judge John Thompson scheduled a hearing for Sept. 22 at which he is expected to decide whether to follow the jury's recommendation. Judges have the option of choosing instead to impose sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole in capital cases, but rarely do.
Booth operator Teresa Perez, 31, of San Ysidro, and manager Jack Reynolds, 44, of National City were gunned down July 18, 1999, during a botched robbery at the parking lot. Their bodies were found on the floor of a business trailer on the property on Pacific Highway near Sassafras Street.
Each had been shot in the head.
Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth McClutchey argued during the trial that Young shot Perez at close range to eliminate a witness who could identify him as 1 of 3 armed robbers who targeted the business. She described the killing as a "cold-blooded execution."
The prosecutor said another man, Max Anderson, fatally shot Reynolds, but Young could be held responsible for the killing because it happened during a robbery in which he participated.
No further information about Anderson or David Raynoha, another man charged in connection with the shooting was available because the judge has issued a gag order preventing the attorneys from discussing the case.
McClutchey argued that after the murders, Young bought a pair of red boot laces a badge of honor among skinheads to commemorate the event. Prosecutors said Young was linked to the white supremacist group.
After he was convicted of murder, Young's lawyers tried to persuade the jury during the penalty phase of the trial to spare his life, arguing that he had a troubled childhood and a history of drug abuse.
Defense attorney Inge Brauer argued that it wasn't necessary to send Young to death row because spending the rest of his life in prison would be punishment enough.
"There is nothing that can mitigate the pain of the victim's family,"
Brauer told the jurors. "Mercy is decent. Mercy can make you proud."
This was the 2nd jury to hear the case. The 1st jury convicted Young of the crimes but deadlocked over whether he should receive the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The vote was 11-1 in favor of sending Young to death row.
The 2nd jury then reheard the penalty phase of the trial before voting for his execution.
After the verdict was read, members of Perez's family tearfully thanked the jurors as they filed out of the courtroom.
Perez's brother-in-law Joe Bravo shook hands with members of the panel and said, "Thank you on behalf of Teresa." He and his wife, Amada, the victim's sister, said they felt justice had been served.
"It's been very emotional," Bravo said outside the courtroom. "We're just glad that it's over. It's all about Teresa."
(source: San Diego Union-Tribune)