Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 17, 2006 23:17:03 GMT -5
Judge dismisses death penalty case
A federal judge on Friday granted a request by prosecutors to dismiss a
potential death penalty against convicted serial killer John E. Robinson
Sr.
U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner dismissed the case without prejudice,
meaning it could be refiled if Robinson's convictions and death sentence
in Kansas are overturned.
His attorneys had wanted the case dismissed with prejudice, which would
have prevented it from being refiled.
Robinson, 62, was charged in U.S. District Court with kidnapping resulting
in death, which can be punishable by death.
The federal government filed its case after the Kansas Supreme Court ruled
the state's death penalty unconstitutional. Earlier this year, the U.S.
Supreme Court reinstated the death sentences against Robinson and other
death row inmates in the state.
Fenner dismissed the case Friday and ordered that Robinson be returned to
custody in Kansas.
Robinson, 62, formerly of Olathe, pleaded guilty to 5 killings in Missouri
and was convicted of 3 in Johnson County, Kan., over a 15-year period.
He was sentenced to death for 2 killings, those of Suzette Trouten and
Izabela Lewicka.
(source: Associated Press)
A federal judge on Friday granted a request by prosecutors to dismiss a
potential death penalty against convicted serial killer John E. Robinson
Sr.
U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner dismissed the case without prejudice,
meaning it could be refiled if Robinson's convictions and death sentence
in Kansas are overturned.
His attorneys had wanted the case dismissed with prejudice, which would
have prevented it from being refiled.
Robinson, 62, was charged in U.S. District Court with kidnapping resulting
in death, which can be punishable by death.
The federal government filed its case after the Kansas Supreme Court ruled
the state's death penalty unconstitutional. Earlier this year, the U.S.
Supreme Court reinstated the death sentences against Robinson and other
death row inmates in the state.
Fenner dismissed the case Friday and ordered that Robinson be returned to
custody in Kansas.
Robinson, 62, formerly of Olathe, pleaded guilty to 5 killings in Missouri
and was convicted of 3 in Johnson County, Kan., over a 15-year period.
He was sentenced to death for 2 killings, those of Suzette Trouten and
Izabela Lewicka.
(source: Associated Press)