Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 24, 2006 4:52:55 GMT -5
Illinois Supreme Court upholds Sutherlands death penalty conviction
The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty conviction of Cecil Sutherland for the 1987 kidnapping, rape and murder of ten-year-old Amy Schulz near her rural Kell home. Sutherland had been granted a second trial after his initial conviction in 1989 was thrown out by the Supreme Court based on too much reliance on fiber evidence.
The case will now go back to Jefferson County Court for further instruction on the sentencing. Jefferson County State's Attorney Gary Duncan says he's very pleased with the ruling. He says Amy was raped and killed in the late 1980's and justice has been a long time coming for her and her family. He believes this will give them some closure.
He says sutherland is as guilty as can be according to the facts of the case and it was proven in many different ways. He says everyone associated with the case to help convict Sutherland are extremely gratified that it is resolved.
The court had overturned the first death penalty conviction in 2000, rejected the now 51-year-old Sutherland's claims of error at his second trial in 2004. Justices ruled that hair and fiber evidence were sufficient to link Sutherland to the crime.
The Supreme Court has set an execution date for March 13, 2007, however that's unlikely to occur since Illinois has placed a moratorium on the death penalty.
Meanwhile Amy Schulz's father is echoing the Jefferson County State's Attorney's sentiments on the Supreme Court ruling. Dennis Schulz has been vocal in his feelings that Cecil Sutherland killed his daughter and deserves the death penalty.
Schulz says as far as he's concerned its far over due. He says Amy didn't have any chance to live, and Sutherland has had two. He says that they need to get on with it and follow the procedures set forth by the court system and get rid of him.
Schulz is opposed to the moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois first imposed by then Governor Ryan and upheld by Governor Blagojevich. Schulz says Illinois needs to -- quote -- do something like Texas and get it over with...a reference to that state's execution practices.
wjbdradio.com/news_view.asp?WEBID=6854
The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty conviction of Cecil Sutherland for the 1987 kidnapping, rape and murder of ten-year-old Amy Schulz near her rural Kell home. Sutherland had been granted a second trial after his initial conviction in 1989 was thrown out by the Supreme Court based on too much reliance on fiber evidence.
The case will now go back to Jefferson County Court for further instruction on the sentencing. Jefferson County State's Attorney Gary Duncan says he's very pleased with the ruling. He says Amy was raped and killed in the late 1980's and justice has been a long time coming for her and her family. He believes this will give them some closure.
He says sutherland is as guilty as can be according to the facts of the case and it was proven in many different ways. He says everyone associated with the case to help convict Sutherland are extremely gratified that it is resolved.
The court had overturned the first death penalty conviction in 2000, rejected the now 51-year-old Sutherland's claims of error at his second trial in 2004. Justices ruled that hair and fiber evidence were sufficient to link Sutherland to the crime.
The Supreme Court has set an execution date for March 13, 2007, however that's unlikely to occur since Illinois has placed a moratorium on the death penalty.
Meanwhile Amy Schulz's father is echoing the Jefferson County State's Attorney's sentiments on the Supreme Court ruling. Dennis Schulz has been vocal in his feelings that Cecil Sutherland killed his daughter and deserves the death penalty.
Schulz says as far as he's concerned its far over due. He says Amy didn't have any chance to live, and Sutherland has had two. He says that they need to get on with it and follow the procedures set forth by the court system and get rid of him.
Schulz is opposed to the moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois first imposed by then Governor Ryan and upheld by Governor Blagojevich. Schulz says Illinois needs to -- quote -- do something like Texas and get it over with...a reference to that state's execution practices.
wjbdradio.com/news_view.asp?WEBID=6854