July 8 ARIZONA: Prosecutors to seek death penalty in fatal Scottsdale crash In Phoenix, a motorist who caused a fatal accident while driving the wrong way on the freeway in Scottsdale could face the death penalty if convicted of 1st-degree murder. Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today that his office was filing a 1st-degree murder charge against David James Szymanski of Fountain Hills. Police allege the 22-year-old Szymanski was drunk and fleeing from police when his car, traveling the wrong way on the Loop 1-0-1 April 7th, collided with a car carrying 3 young men returning home from a concert. One of those men, Cody Brett Morrison, died at the scene. The other 2 were injured. Thomas says this is the 1st time in Arizona that someone could face the death penalty in a vehicular homicide case. (source: Associated Press) ILLINOIS: Lawyer's tearful walkout delays former death row inmate's trial More fireworks today at the trial of former death row inmate Aaron Patterson on drug and gun charges. Federal Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer was about to bring in the jury for opening statements this morning when one of Patterson's lawyers left the room, saying "I'm not going to do this." Attorney Demitrus Evans was later heard crying in a cloak room next door to the court and from there fled to a nearby ladies room where other lawyers tried to calm her. She returned to court about 40 minutes later saying she wanted to go on with the trial. Patterson wasn't in court today because he repeatedly interrupted pre-trial hearings -- sometimes with obscenities. Patterson spent 17 years in prison for a double murder before former Governor George Ryan pardoned him. He's now accused of selling heroin and marijuana and trying to buy 4 guns. (source: Associated Press)
