Vermont: First Death Verdict in 50 Years
Vermont jurors have returned the first death penalty verdict in 50 years in that state in a federal case.
In 2001 Fell had agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life without parole. But that deal was rejected by then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who insisted on the death penalty, in part because of the urgings of Fell's relatives.
The last execution in Vermont was in 1954. Another defendant was sentenced to death in 1957, but the sentence was later commuted. In their closing arguments Wednesday the prosecution said Fell's crimes were cold and calculated while the defense said his wrongdoing stemmed from a childhood of abuse.
After the verdict, the defense lawyer read a statement to the jury from the defendant:
"He respects your decision. He appreciates your hard work and wants to tell you and the family of his sincere remorse. He did not want to do it at any other time publicly as it would be construed to be less genuine," the lawyer said.
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