[Deathpenalty]death penalty news --- CONN.

[Joerg Sommer]

death penalty news

July 7, 2004


CONNECTICUT:

Federal jury spares Hartford drug dealer the death penalty
			
A federal jury Wednesday spared a Hartford drug dealer the death penalty 
for the murder-for-hire killing of a drug rival.

Wilfredo Perez, 37, embraced his lawyers and supporters after U.S. District 
Judge Janet Bond Arterton endorsed the decision to impose a life sentence.

A jury of nine women and three men deliberated for about six hours over two 
days to reach the verdict. It was the first time a federal jury in 
Connecticut had considered the death penalty against a defendant since 
Congress expanded the list of capital offenses 10 years ago.

U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor said he respects the jury's verdict.

"He's still going to serve four life terms, so it's still a very long 
penalty," O'Connor said.

Perez was convicted last week four federal counts for hiring hit men from 
New York to kill Theodore "Teddy" Casiano in Hartford in 1996.

Perez had a big cocaine selling network, and Casiano has moved in on his 
turf, prosecutors said. Casiano was shot several times as he sat in a car 
in Hartford. The hit cost Perez $6,000.

His lawyers, Michael Sheehan and Richard Reeve, said the case never should 
have been a death penalty offense, since the prosecutors' case was weak and 
based on the word of people took plea deals and got reduced charges.

"We're very pleased the jury was unanimous in their decision and we're 
extremely disgusted with the attorney general that this case was ever 
brought as a death penalty case," Sheehan said.

The same jury that found Perez should get life in prison convicted him June 
29 of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, interstate travel to commit 
murder-for-hire, a racketeering offense and a firearms offense.

Sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 16.

Perez is one of five people charged in Casiano's death. His brother, Jose 
Antonio Perez, was convicted on the same charges and has been sentenced to 
life in prison.

The alleged hit man, Fausto Gonzalez, is scheduled to go on trial in September.

(source: AP)