Post by CCADP on Aug 13, 2005 20:47:32 GMT -5
Anderson could face death penalty in case----Man accused of robbing,
killing 71-year-old, setting to home
John David Anderson walked into the Lawrence County Municipal Courtroom on
Friday with a blank face - attending what was scheduled to be his
preliminary hearing for a potential death penalty case.
Anderson is accused of killing 71-year-old Arthur Boyer, who was a
resident of the Deering area. Lawrence County law enforcement officers say
Boyer was killed in his home, which then was burned. It is now alleged
that Anderson may have been in the process of a robbery that concluded
with Boyer being murdered. These felonies, if proven, could be grounds for
the death penalty.
Anderson appeared before Judge Donald Capper briefly, just before it was
decided that the municipal court no longer had jurisdiction because an
indictment had been issued from the grand jury.
"We're satisfied that the grand jury did the right thing," said prosecutor
J.B. Collier, who presented the death penalty case to the grand jury.
In the state of Ohio, the death penalty can only be considered if another
felony crime is committed in addition to murder, said Charles Knight, who
is a qualified attorney for death penalty cases. West Virginia does not
have capital punishment.
"(The prosecutor) must also be able to prove that he committed arson or
robbed the home," said Knight, who was sitting in for Andersons original
attorney, Mark McCowen, who was working on another case. "My client has
never mentioned either to me."
Anderson's 8-count indictment includes 2 felony charges - aggravated
robbery and aggravated murder.
Anderson is expected to be arraigned on Monday or Tuesday by the Common
Plea Courts.
(source: Herald Dispatch)
killing 71-year-old, setting to home
John David Anderson walked into the Lawrence County Municipal Courtroom on
Friday with a blank face - attending what was scheduled to be his
preliminary hearing for a potential death penalty case.
Anderson is accused of killing 71-year-old Arthur Boyer, who was a
resident of the Deering area. Lawrence County law enforcement officers say
Boyer was killed in his home, which then was burned. It is now alleged
that Anderson may have been in the process of a robbery that concluded
with Boyer being murdered. These felonies, if proven, could be grounds for
the death penalty.
Anderson appeared before Judge Donald Capper briefly, just before it was
decided that the municipal court no longer had jurisdiction because an
indictment had been issued from the grand jury.
"We're satisfied that the grand jury did the right thing," said prosecutor
J.B. Collier, who presented the death penalty case to the grand jury.
In the state of Ohio, the death penalty can only be considered if another
felony crime is committed in addition to murder, said Charles Knight, who
is a qualified attorney for death penalty cases. West Virginia does not
have capital punishment.
"(The prosecutor) must also be able to prove that he committed arson or
robbed the home," said Knight, who was sitting in for Andersons original
attorney, Mark McCowen, who was working on another case. "My client has
never mentioned either to me."
Anderson's 8-count indictment includes 2 felony charges - aggravated
robbery and aggravated murder.
Anderson is expected to be arraigned on Monday or Tuesday by the Common
Plea Courts.
(source: Herald Dispatch)