[Deathpenalty] death penalty news---OHIO, FLA. KY.

[Rick Halperin]

June 23


OHIO:

Accused Killer Could Face Death Penalty


A man wanted for killing a Mt. Healthy shopkeeper, now faces a possible
death sentence if he is convicted.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced a capital indictment
Monday against Jerome Dennis, 23.

Dennis is accused of shooting Abdrahmane Diallo inside HD & MD Clothing
Store on June 5th.

Police say Dennis also robbed the Shamrock Gas station in Springfield
Township 2 days earlier. That clerk was not hurt.

(source: WKRC TV News)






FLORIDA:

Ax murderer asks judge to throw out death sentence


Ax murderer John Buzia is back in Seminole County, asking a judge to throw
out his conviction and death sentence.

Buzia, 48, was convicted of murdering Charles Kersch, 71, at the victim's
Oviedo home in 2000 with an ax he'd found in the victim's garage. Buzia
had done home repairs for Kersch.

Buzia confessed but now is challenging one of the most powerful pieces of
evidence the state presented at trial: a palm print found on the cabinet
where Kersch kept his axes.

Then-Seminole County fingerprint expert Donna Birks told jurors the print
belonged to Buzia. Last year, however, the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement and a defense expert re-analyzed the print. Both concluded it
could not be matched to Buzia or anyone else.

The sheriff's office and FDLE re-examined hundreds of other print
identifications made by Birks and co-workers at the sheriff's office. They
found 10 bad calls, 8 by Birks. She has since been fired and the
fingerprint section reorganized.

Buzia was returned to Seminole County from death row for the hearing that
began this morning before Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. It's expected
to last most of the week.

Buzia's lawyers say his conviction and death sentence should be thrown out
for a variety of reasons, including Birks' mistake.

They also allege his trial lawyer made several errors. Those attorneys,
Tim Caudill and James Figgatt, presented no witnesses at trial.

Another error, Buzia's new lawyers say, was that defense attorneys let
nearly 2 years pass before they had Buzia's blood tested for cocaine.
Buzia was on a cocaine binge when he killed Kersch and attacked the
victim's wife, Thea Kersch, who survived.

Florida law allows judges and juries to be more lenient with defendants
who commit a crime while intoxicated.

Even if Buzia is granted another trial, it's not clear he'll be acquitted.
Thea Kersch identified Buzia as her attacker.

(source: Orlando Sentinel)






KENTUCKY:

Death Penalty Sought In Mt. Healthy Murder Case


Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the murder of a Mt. Healthy
store owner.

Jerome Dennis, of Colerain Township, is charged with killing Alassane
Diallo.

Diallo owned HD & MD Clothing. Police believe the suspect shot him during
an attempted robbery.

Dennis remains at large. Police say he should be considered armed and
dangerous.

(source: Kentucky Post)






IDAHO----re: federal death penalty trial

Judge delays resumption of Duncan death penalty


The federal death penalty case for convicted murderer Joseph Edward Duncan
III has been delayed again by the judge overseeing the case.

An order filed by District Judge Edward Lodge states mental health experts
need at least 2 more weeks to determine Duncan's competency to stand
trial.

The court is trying to determine if Duncan is competent to represent
himself in his sentencing hearing for the 2005 kidnapping and abuse of
Shasta and Dylan Groene and the slaying of Dylan. The children were
kidnapped from their northern Idaho home.

A pool of more than 300 prospective jurors were told in May to check with
the court Monday to find out when jury selection might resume.

(source: Associated Press)