July 28 CALIFORNIA: Suspect in officer's death faces death penalty In Hayward, the 23-year-old man accused of killing a San Leandro police officer late Monday night now faces formal charges that could put him on death row. Irving "Gotti" Ramirez was formally charged this afternoon with murder and three special circumstances counts clauses in Monday's shooting death of San Leandro police Officer Nels "Dan" Niemi, who grew up in Alamo. Court records also showed today that a number of witnesses -- including Ramirez's girlfriend -- told police Ramirez was the shooter, and that Ramirez was apparently planning to flee the area before his arrest in Daly City Tuesday afternoon. Ramirez, wearing a red jail jumpsuit, Ramirez heard Alameda County Superior Court Judge Alfred Delucchi read the charges against him. The special circumstances attached to Ramirez's murder count are killing a peace officer, lying in wait and shooting in attempt to evade arrest. Several San Leandro police officers in uniform attended the brief hearing. Ramirez's uncle David Villanueva was also present. Police believe Ramirez shot Niemi 7 times with a 10mm semi-automatic handgun, in what they believe was an unprovoked in the 14600 block of Doolittle Drive -- on the city's southwestern edge -- about 11 p.m. Monday. Niemi died less than an hour later. Niemi, 42, was there answering a loitering and disturbance call. (source: Contra Costa Times) ******************** No Death Penalty in Pettis Case A major decision is announced in the murder trial of former Fresno State basketball player Terry Pettis. The judge stunned the courtroom this morning by revealing the district attorney's office has decided not to seek the death penalty against Terry Pettis. Pettis was not present in court this morning for the district attorney's decision. The former Bulldog basketball player is accused of shooting and robbing Rene Abbott in April of 2004 as she sat in a car near Fresno State. Police say Abbott and her boyfriend were in a parking lot near Fresno State with another man involved in a drug deal. Pettis has pleaded not guilty to the murder. The district attorney's office had also charged him with special allegations, making him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. By not seeking death, the most Pettis is now facing is life in prison without parole. Assistant District Attorney Robert Ellis tells Action News, "We follow a process of reviewing capital eligible cases ... which considers facts ... evidence and the defendant's prior record. We followed that protocol and decided it was not appropriate." Rene Abbott's parents were in court. Her mother held rosary beads as the decision was announced. They left immediately after the hearing without commenting. (source: KFSN News) MISSISSIPPI: Miss. high court refuses to reconsider death row inmate's appeal In Jackson, the Mississippi Supreme Court has refused to reconsider its decision in May that death row inmate Kelvin Jordan has no evidence to show he deserves a new trial. Jordan was convicted of capital murder in 1996 in Clarke County. He was sentenced to death for the 1995 killings of Codera Bradley and Tony Roberts. The Mississippi high court on Thursday declined to go back and review again Jordan's motion to file a post-conviction claim. Inmates use post conviction petitions to argue they have found new evidence that justifies a new trial. Codera was identified in court records as Roberts' 2-year-old son. Roberts and his son gave Jordan and a friend a ride from a Pachuta truck stop. After Roberts stopped to let his passengers out, he was shot in the head, as was Codera when the child began to scream and cry, according to court records. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1999 refused to hear Jordan's appeal. The Mississippi court had upheld the conviction in 1998. In May, the Mississippi court said much of what Jordan cited as new evidence fell under the trial strategy and would not be reviewed. The justices also rejected Jordan's claim of mental retardation, ruling Jordan provided no documents to support his claim. (source: Associated Press) OHIO: Death Penalty Sought In Cab Driver's Killing In Cincinnati, the county prosecutor is seeking the death penalty against a man accused of shooting a cab driver to death last week. George R. Williams, 19, was indicted Thursday on charges of capital aggravated murder and felony aggravated robbery. His alleged accomplices, 19-year-old Andre Woodcoack and 23-year-old Mary Rosemond, were indicted on charges of special felony aggravated murder and felony aggravated robbery. The trio is accused of Timothy Deger, 42, an independent driver for Towne Taxi. Neighbors found Deger shot to death in the 1300 block of Mimosa Lane in Covedale. (source: ChannelCincinnati.com) ****************** Collier seeks death penalty for alleged murderer If John David Anderson is found guilty of murder, he could well be one of the youngest people on death row in Ohio. Lawrence County Prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr. said today he will seek the death penalty against John David Anderson, the 19-year-old Carter County, Ky., resident charged in connection with the death last week of Deering resident Arthur Boyer. Boyer was found dead at his burned home Thursday. Authorities contend Anderson came to rob the elderly man, then killed him and set the house on fire to cover up his crimes. "We feel this is a legitimate basis and we're asking the jury to consider it a capital crime," Collier said. "We have considered what is involved, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and then the aggravated arson." Collier said a special grand jury will be convened Aug. 12 to consider the case. Officers were called to Boyer's house at 2730 County Road 55 to investigate a fire but it became a murder investigation when they found his remains inside. Authorities also discovered Boyer's vehicle was missing. Anderson was arrested hours later in Carter County, Ky., and allegedly confessed to setting the house on fire. Anderson remains in the Carter County Jail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Carter County District Court Monday and will be served with the Ohio warrants. (source: The Ironton Tribune) ************************ Baby's Rape, Slaying Could Bring Death Penalty In Cincinnati, a 19-year-old could face the death penalty if convicted of raping and killing his girlfriend's baby. Matthew Carovillano was indicted Thursday on charges of capital aggravated murder, special felony murder, felony rape and felony endangering children. Police said Carovillano admitted to raping and beating 18-month-old Kaylee Schnurr. Kaylee died last Saturday. Carovillano is being held on $1.6 million bond. (source: WLWT News)
