Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 25, 2006 0:54:05 GMT -5
Ex-soldier spared death penalty in murder
In Waynesville, a former Fort Leonard Wood soldier avoided a death
sentence Thursday in the killing of a pregnant teen whose body was found
in the trunk of a burned car.
Pulaski County jurors recommended 2 life sentences without parole for
Luther D. Martin, 25, of Muskogee, Okla. He was convicted Tuesday of 2
counts of 1st-degree murder in the October 2001 death of Jerae James, 17,
and her unborn child.
At the time of the killing, Martin was a member of the 5th Engineer
Battalion stationed at Fort Leonard Wood.
Another soldier, Stephen V. Ragas, 24, of New Orleans, faces 2 counts of
first- degree murder. His trial is set for Sept. 13, 2007.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued Martin may have been framed.
They also sought to implicate a man who has not been charged in the
killings.
Prosecutor Laura Kriebs said there is no reason to believe the father of
the child had anything to do with the murder.
Judge Mary W. Sheffield is expected to impose the life sentences during a
Nov. 3 hearing. (source: News-Leader)
In Waynesville, a former Fort Leonard Wood soldier avoided a death
sentence Thursday in the killing of a pregnant teen whose body was found
in the trunk of a burned car.
Pulaski County jurors recommended 2 life sentences without parole for
Luther D. Martin, 25, of Muskogee, Okla. He was convicted Tuesday of 2
counts of 1st-degree murder in the October 2001 death of Jerae James, 17,
and her unborn child.
At the time of the killing, Martin was a member of the 5th Engineer
Battalion stationed at Fort Leonard Wood.
Another soldier, Stephen V. Ragas, 24, of New Orleans, faces 2 counts of
first- degree murder. His trial is set for Sept. 13, 2007.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued Martin may have been framed.
They also sought to implicate a man who has not been charged in the
killings.
Prosecutor Laura Kriebs said there is no reason to believe the father of
the child had anything to do with the murder.
Judge Mary W. Sheffield is expected to impose the life sentences during a
Nov. 3 hearing. (source: News-Leader)