Post by Anja Nieser on Oct 1, 2006 5:50:38 GMT -5
U.S. attorney considering death penalty in drug case
In Fargo, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says he has a Monday deadline to tell
a federal judge whether his office will seek the death penalty in a
drug-related killing.
Michael Petzold, of Norfolk, Neb., is charged with murder in furtherance
of a continuing criminal enterprise. He is accused of killing Lee Avila,
28, of East Grand Forks, Minn.
Petzold was indicted in January along with 5 others. Investigators said he
was the leader of a drug ring that brought large amounts of
methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana from Mexico to the Red River Valley
over several years. His trial is scheduled for January.
Wrigley has not announced whether he will seek the death penalty. He said
earlier that it would be a first in North Dakota for a drug-related crime.
The state does not have the death penalty, but it is allowed in federal
cases.
Police said they got a 911 call and found Avila shot to death in East
Grand Forks on June 30, 2005. Authorities said Avila had earlier criminal
convictions and his death was drug-related.
(source: Associated Press)
In Fargo, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley says he has a Monday deadline to tell
a federal judge whether his office will seek the death penalty in a
drug-related killing.
Michael Petzold, of Norfolk, Neb., is charged with murder in furtherance
of a continuing criminal enterprise. He is accused of killing Lee Avila,
28, of East Grand Forks, Minn.
Petzold was indicted in January along with 5 others. Investigators said he
was the leader of a drug ring that brought large amounts of
methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana from Mexico to the Red River Valley
over several years. His trial is scheduled for January.
Wrigley has not announced whether he will seek the death penalty. He said
earlier that it would be a first in North Dakota for a drug-related crime.
The state does not have the death penalty, but it is allowed in federal
cases.
Police said they got a 911 call and found Avila shot to death in East
Grand Forks on June 30, 2005. Authorities said Avila had earlier criminal
convictions and his death was drug-related.
(source: Associated Press)