07-17-2012, 01:16 PM
just ruled:
An East Toledo man charged in the asphyxiation deaths of a Springfield Township couple is mentally retarded and therefore could not be sentenced to death if found guilty of the murders a judge ruled today.
Lucas County Common Pleas Judge James Bates made the determination about Cameo Pettaway, 22, of 133 Essex St., after hearing testimony Monday from two psychologists who evaluated Mr. Pettaway.
The ruling means prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Mr. Pettaway if a jury finds him guilty in the asphyxiation deaths of Lisa Straub, 20, and her boyfriend, Johnny Clarke, 21. The two victims were found dead Jan. 31, 2011, in the Longacre Lane home of Ms. Straub’s parents.
Executing a person who has developmental disabilities was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002
Jury selection was to begin this afternoon for Mr. Pettaway. That process began this morning before Judge Dean Mandros for co-defendant, Samuel Williams, 24, of 1626 Kelsey Ave., who, like Mr. Pettaway, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, one count of aggravated burglary, and two counts of kidnapping.
http://www.toledoblade.com/news/2012/07/...ouple.html
![[Image: CTY-pettaway16p-03.jpg]](http://www.toledoblade.com/image/2012/07/17/800x_b1_cCM_z/CTY-pettaway16p-03.jpg)
An East Toledo man charged in the asphyxiation deaths of a Springfield Township couple is mentally retarded and therefore could not be sentenced to death if found guilty of the murders a judge ruled today.
Lucas County Common Pleas Judge James Bates made the determination about Cameo Pettaway, 22, of 133 Essex St., after hearing testimony Monday from two psychologists who evaluated Mr. Pettaway.
The ruling means prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Mr. Pettaway if a jury finds him guilty in the asphyxiation deaths of Lisa Straub, 20, and her boyfriend, Johnny Clarke, 21. The two victims were found dead Jan. 31, 2011, in the Longacre Lane home of Ms. Straub’s parents.
Executing a person who has developmental disabilities was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002
Jury selection was to begin this afternoon for Mr. Pettaway. That process began this morning before Judge Dean Mandros for co-defendant, Samuel Williams, 24, of 1626 Kelsey Ave., who, like Mr. Pettaway, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, one count of aggravated burglary, and two counts of kidnapping.
http://www.toledoblade.com/news/2012/07/...ouple.html