Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 9, 2006 20:16:10 GMT -5
A Butler woman facing the death penalty in the torture killing of her roommate is hoping to have her case tried separately from her two co-defendants.
Butler County Public Defender Terri Schultz has filed a motion for a
separate trial on behalf of Melissa Adams, who -- along with her cousin Timothy Caldwell and her friend Russell Hilliard -- is charged with torturing and slaying Jason Ritzert, 30, and dumping his body in a trash bin in Summit Township in November.
District Attorney Randa Clark said she will seek the death penalty for all 3 defendants.
In addition to hearing arguments on the motion for a separate trial, Butler County Common Pleas Judge William Shaffer heard from the commonwealth and Ms. Schultz on a request for a change of venue. He said he would consider the request.
Mr. Caldwell also has a change of venue motion pending before the judge.
(source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Butler County Public Defender Terri Schultz has filed a motion for a
separate trial on behalf of Melissa Adams, who -- along with her cousin Timothy Caldwell and her friend Russell Hilliard -- is charged with torturing and slaying Jason Ritzert, 30, and dumping his body in a trash bin in Summit Township in November.
District Attorney Randa Clark said she will seek the death penalty for all 3 defendants.
In addition to hearing arguments on the motion for a separate trial, Butler County Common Pleas Judge William Shaffer heard from the commonwealth and Ms. Schultz on a request for a change of venue. He said he would consider the request.
Mr. Caldwell also has a change of venue motion pending before the judge.
(source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)