06-22-2011, 09:25 AM
Three young defendants charged in the April murder of 15-year-old Seath Jackson, of Belleview, have waived their rights to a speedy trial.
Amber Wright, 15, Kyle Hooper, 16, and Justin Soto, 20, appeared in court Monday briefly for a status hearing. They are among five defendants charged with first-degree murder in the case.
Soto, who is being represented by 5th Circuit Chief Assistant Public Defender Bill Miller, could face the death penalty if convicted as charged.
Assistant State Attorney Amy Berndt told Circuit Judge David Eddy that she’ll know by the end of July whether the state will seek the death penalty against Soto. Early next month, the State Attorney’s Office is expected to decide whether it will seek death for another co-defendant, alleged ringleader Michael Bargo, 19.
By law, the juveniles cannot face the death penalty.
Seath Jackson was beaten, shot repeatedly and tortured. His body was tossed in a burn pit outside a Summerfield house owned by another co-defendant, 18-year-old Charlie Kay Ely.
full article:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20110620/AR...appearance
Amber Wright, 15, Kyle Hooper, 16, and Justin Soto, 20, appeared in court Monday briefly for a status hearing. They are among five defendants charged with first-degree murder in the case.
Soto, who is being represented by 5th Circuit Chief Assistant Public Defender Bill Miller, could face the death penalty if convicted as charged.
Assistant State Attorney Amy Berndt told Circuit Judge David Eddy that she’ll know by the end of July whether the state will seek the death penalty against Soto. Early next month, the State Attorney’s Office is expected to decide whether it will seek death for another co-defendant, alleged ringleader Michael Bargo, 19.
By law, the juveniles cannot face the death penalty.
Seath Jackson was beaten, shot repeatedly and tortured. His body was tossed in a burn pit outside a Summerfield house owned by another co-defendant, 18-year-old Charlie Kay Ely.
full article:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20110620/AR...appearance