[Deathpenalty] death penalty news-----PENNSYLVANIA

[Rick Halperin]

Sept. 27



PENNSYLVANIA:

Death penalty phase for Pa. man continues Monday


In Brookevile, a jury will hear from defense witnesses Monday in the death
penalty trial of a western Pennsylvania man already convicted of killing 2
Brooklyn, N.Y. residents during a 2006 kidnapping and robbery.

The jury convicted 27-year-old Jason Clinger of 1st- and 2nd-degree murder
in the killings of 22-year-old Davon Markeys Jones and 21-year-old
Dianikqua Arshell Johnson. The jury reached a verdict late Thursday after
about 5 hours of deliberation.

The death penalty phase of the trial began Friday and will continue Monday
because some defense witnesses weren't available.

Hunters found the bodies of Jones and Johnson in the woods of rural
western Pennsylvania in November 2006. Prosecutors say the shootings were
drug related.

(source: Associated Press)