In a previous thread, there was a lot of back-and-forth about the possibility of capital punishment for the two men accused of murdering Douglas County Deputy Tommy Martin.
Here's today's NG article - the prosecutor is seeking the death penalty.
"The factors fit and it's the murder of a police officer. Everyone has to understand if you kill a police officer, you're facing the death penalty. It's almost mandatory," said Douglas County State's Attorney Kevin Nolan.
Nolan's decision means a new set of judicial players will be needed to try and defend Yusef K. Brown, 23, and William B. Thompson, 26. Financial help from Illinois' Capital Litigation Trial Fund should be available to Douglas County for both the prosecution and defense of the men.
Even before Nolan filed his intent to seek the death penalty, Douglas County Judge Mike Carroll took himself off the case at Brown's request. Carroll had earlier informed the attorneys representing Brown and Thompson that he was a personal friend of Mr. Martin, 59, of Tuscola.
As it turns out, Carroll is not qualified to preside, as he has not yet received death penalty certification by the Illinois Supreme Court. Carroll has been a judge since last December and hasn't attended the necessary training.
Discuss if you'd like.
I don't think it'll have any effect on future murderers... but I sure as heck don't feel any pity for this pair if they fry.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
With the Death Penalty being on the down and down in Illinois, I'm not sure I would prioritize attending death penalty training either... how many people in Douglas county have been brought up against an attempt for a death penalty in the last few years? I'd imagine not many.
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j
Part-Time Pundit
" I'm not sure I would prioritize attending death penalty training either
Bambenek, is there anything you don't know? Except this I mean. You are deveoping quite a reputation as the brains behind your operation.
Judges get trained like anyone else. it's not a question of prioritizing, it's a question of the Supreme Court wanting Judges to be trained.
Because death penalty cases do in fact occur and sometimes Judges are re-assigned.
Anyone who takes just about anything Bambenek seriously deserves the STUPID stamp that should aqppear on their forehead.