PAINESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A northeastern Ohio jury has recommended the death penalty for a 28-year-old man convicted of raping and fatally stabbing a bartender two years ago.
A Lake County common pleas judge can now adopt the jury's recommendation for Joseph Thomas or give him life in prison. Sentencing is set for Oct. 15.
The (Willoughby) News-Herald (http://bit.ly/Rh5KPP ) reports that Thomas was convicted last week of the aggravated murder and rape of Annie McSween. Prosecutors said Thomas attacked the 49-year-old McSween by her car after she asked him to leave the bar where she worked in November 2010.
The jury deliberated seven hours before recommending the death penalty Thursday. Thomas had contended that someone else killed McSween.
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Information from: The News-Herald, http://www.news-herald.com/jrc-html/index/index_p33.html
