ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) - Prosecutors have announced they’ll seek the death penalty against a man charged with the death of a 20-year-old woman in St. George.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed the notice of intent to seek the death penalty against 32-year-old Brandon Smith this week in 5th District Court.
The Spectrum of St. George reports (https://bit.ly/1dIG9Mc ) the office issued a statement saying it decided to seek the death penalty after consulting the family of victim Jerrica Christensen.
Smith is accused of beating Christensen and slitting her throat at the home of 34-year-old Paul Ashton to silence a potential witness after Ashton shot acquaintances Brandie Sue Dawn Jerden and James Fiske.
Ashton pleaded guilty last July to killing Jerden in his home and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
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Information from: The Spectrum, https://www.thespectrum.com
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