Post by CCADP on Aug 15, 2005 6:10:16 GMT -5
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/osceola/orl-lebron1505aug15,0,2207739.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-osceola
Jurors to be picked for LeBron penalty
Elaine Aradillas
Sentinel Staff Writer
August 15, 2005
KISSIMMEE -- Jury selection is expected to begin today in yet another attempt to sentence Jermaine "Bugsy" LeBron for killing an Orange County man in 1995 for his customized red pickup.
This will be the fourth time -- and the second this year -- that Chief Circuit Judge Belvin Perry has tried to sentence LeBron. The Florida Supreme Court has twice overturned death-penalty sentences and another attempt ended in a mistrial.
Lawyers are expected to spend two days selecting jurors at the Osceola County courthouse to determine whether LeBron should get the death penalty or life in prison.
In 1998, LeBron, now 31, was convicted of killing Larry Neal Oliver Jr., 22. LeBron allegedly shot Oliver in the head with a rifle, according to court documents.
Despite the fact that LeBron told his friends that he shot Oliver, the jury made a special finding that he was not the shooter. Florida's death-penalty law states the defendant does not have to pull the trigger to be found guilty of murder.
The Florida Supreme Court later ruled that the judge had mistakenly told jurors that LeBron killed Oliver.
After another sentencing hearing the following year, a jury voted in favor of the death penalty. But the high court sent the case back again, ruling that some of the trial testimony was inadmissible because it was related to a separate case.
The justices wrote explicit instructions about what can be presented in court.
"To ensure that the circuit court has proper guidance on resentencing," the justices wrote, " we will also address the scope and nature of the testimony and evidence that may be admitted during the new penalty phase."
Prosecutors tried again in May to decide LeBron's fate, but that attempt ended in a mistrial.
In retelling details of the case, Osceola County Sheriff's Lt. Andrew Lang told jurors that LeBron said he killed Oliver and told his friends to get rid of the body.
LeBron's lawyer, Robert Norgard, asked for and received a mistrial after the judge decided that to do otherwise would result in the case being sent back again by the Florida Supreme Court.
Elaine Aradillas can be reached at earadillas@orlandosentinel.com or 407-931-5940.
Jurors to be picked for LeBron penalty
Elaine Aradillas
Sentinel Staff Writer
August 15, 2005
KISSIMMEE -- Jury selection is expected to begin today in yet another attempt to sentence Jermaine "Bugsy" LeBron for killing an Orange County man in 1995 for his customized red pickup.
This will be the fourth time -- and the second this year -- that Chief Circuit Judge Belvin Perry has tried to sentence LeBron. The Florida Supreme Court has twice overturned death-penalty sentences and another attempt ended in a mistrial.
Lawyers are expected to spend two days selecting jurors at the Osceola County courthouse to determine whether LeBron should get the death penalty or life in prison.
In 1998, LeBron, now 31, was convicted of killing Larry Neal Oliver Jr., 22. LeBron allegedly shot Oliver in the head with a rifle, according to court documents.
Despite the fact that LeBron told his friends that he shot Oliver, the jury made a special finding that he was not the shooter. Florida's death-penalty law states the defendant does not have to pull the trigger to be found guilty of murder.
The Florida Supreme Court later ruled that the judge had mistakenly told jurors that LeBron killed Oliver.
After another sentencing hearing the following year, a jury voted in favor of the death penalty. But the high court sent the case back again, ruling that some of the trial testimony was inadmissible because it was related to a separate case.
The justices wrote explicit instructions about what can be presented in court.
"To ensure that the circuit court has proper guidance on resentencing," the justices wrote, " we will also address the scope and nature of the testimony and evidence that may be admitted during the new penalty phase."
Prosecutors tried again in May to decide LeBron's fate, but that attempt ended in a mistrial.
In retelling details of the case, Osceola County Sheriff's Lt. Andrew Lang told jurors that LeBron said he killed Oliver and told his friends to get rid of the body.
LeBron's lawyer, Robert Norgard, asked for and received a mistrial after the judge decided that to do otherwise would result in the case being sent back again by the Florida Supreme Court.
Elaine Aradillas can be reached at earadillas@orlandosentinel.com or 407-931-5940.