Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 9, 2006 10:09:35 GMT -5
Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty in Ohio Turnpike Death
Sep 7, 2006 02:03 PM
AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a Pennsylvania woman accused of plotting the killing of her millionaire husband along the Ohio Turnpike last year. Donna Moonda, 47, of Hermitage, Pa., was indicted last month in the death of Dr. Gulam Moonda, 69.
He was shot May 13, 2005, when the couple pulled off the Turnpike in suburban Cleveland while on his way to Toledo. A gunman emerged from another vehicle, shot and robbed the doctor and fled.
Prosecutors contended in a court filing Wednesday that there were three reasons for seeking the death penalty: Moonda promised to pay her former lover, Damian Bradford, if he killed her husband; she sought to receive millions of dollars from his estate; and she used substantial planning and premeditation in his death.
Bradford, a cocaine dealer from the Pittsburgh suburb of Monaca, Pa., pleaded guilty in July to interstate stalking and a gun charge and agreed to cooperate with authorities. His cooperation helped lead to Moonda's indictment.
She faces charges of murder for hire, helping arrange interstate stalking, and separate charges of helping arrange for a firearm in a stalking and murder. Her trial is scheduled for Oct. 23.
Posted by AEB
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sep 7, 2006 02:03 PM
AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a Pennsylvania woman accused of plotting the killing of her millionaire husband along the Ohio Turnpike last year. Donna Moonda, 47, of Hermitage, Pa., was indicted last month in the death of Dr. Gulam Moonda, 69.
He was shot May 13, 2005, when the couple pulled off the Turnpike in suburban Cleveland while on his way to Toledo. A gunman emerged from another vehicle, shot and robbed the doctor and fled.
Prosecutors contended in a court filing Wednesday that there were three reasons for seeking the death penalty: Moonda promised to pay her former lover, Damian Bradford, if he killed her husband; she sought to receive millions of dollars from his estate; and she used substantial planning and premeditation in his death.
Bradford, a cocaine dealer from the Pittsburgh suburb of Monaca, Pa., pleaded guilty in July to interstate stalking and a gun charge and agreed to cooperate with authorities. His cooperation helped lead to Moonda's indictment.
She faces charges of murder for hire, helping arrange interstate stalking, and separate charges of helping arrange for a firearm in a stalking and murder. Her trial is scheduled for Oct. 23.
Posted by AEB
The Associated Press contributed to this report.