[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----ALA., NEB., UTAH

[Rick Halperin]

June 23



ALABAMA:

Huntsville man indicted in choking, beating death of 3-year-old son



A Huntsville man has been indicted in the alleged choking and beating that left 
his 3-year-old son dead in 2013.

Maurice Antionne Cartwright, 35, is charged with capital murder in the death of 
Jeremyah Shoulders. Jeremyah died May 1, 2013, two days after police 
investigators say his father choked him and hit him hard enough to cause 
bleeding on the boy's brain.

Cartwright was initially charged with aggravated child abuse, but the charges 
were amended after Jeremyah died.

Huntsville Police Investigator Chad Smith testified at Cartwright's July 2013 
preliminary hearing that Jeremyah had marks on his head and neck when he was 
admitted to Huntsville Hospital. The boy's mother said she had not seen marks 
on her son before he went for a visit with his father.

A pathologist found that the child had suffered multiple blows to the head and 
nose.

"She said injuries couldn't be from a fall and couldn't be from being shaken," 
Smith testified of the findings. "He was hit with something and it was more 
than 1 time."

Cartwright reportedly told investigators that Jeremyah was taking a nap and 
when he went to wake the child up, he couldn't. He said that he put the boy on 
the floorboard behind the seat of his Ford Ranger and took him to meet his 
aunt, who then drove the child to the hospital.

Assistant Madison County District Attorney Tim Gann told AL.com last month that 
prosecutors are still deciding whether to seek the death penalty for 
Cartwright.

Cartwright is being held in the Madison County jail. He sought bond last month, 
but was denied by a judge.

(source: al.com)








NEBRASKA:

Police Group Announces Support for Death Penalty Petition Drive



The Police Officers' Association of Nebraska has announced their support of the 
petition drive to get the death penalty issue on the ballot.

POAN president Rich Hoaglund says the association feels it is an important 
issue for public safety, as well as for the safety of inmates and corrections 
employees.

He adds the citizens deserve to have a voice in the issue of the death penalty.

The group leading the petition drive, Nebraskans for the Death Penalty has 
until August 27 to gather signatures.

(source: nebraska.tv)








UTAH:

Layton mom pleads not guilty in case connected to boy's death



A Layton mother pleaded not guilty Monday to obstructing justice in connection 
with the death of her 2-year-old son, who died from child abuse injuries 
allegedly inflicted by her boyfriend.

Jasmine Bridgeman, 23, pleaded not guilty to the 2nd-degree felony charge.

Police say Bridgeman was interviewed several times over four days after 
bringing her son to Davis Hospital and Medical Center in critical condition, 
but "gave the officers false information regarding material aspects of the 
investigation," charging documents state.

James "JJ" Sieger Jr. died May 11 after Bridgeman's boyfriend, Joshua 
Schoenenberger, 34, allegedly squeezed and stepped on the boy after smearing 
feces on his face.

Schoenenberger, who also appeared in court Monday as a lawyer was appointed to 
represent him, faces an aggravated murder charge in JJ's death. Because the 
charge carries a potential death penalty, additional time was allotted to find 
an attorney qualified to handle such a case.

Police said Bridgeman lied several times about what had happened at the Layton 
home, 224 E. 1450 North, before telling detectives that Schoenenberger had 
become upset with James over potty training.

Bridgeman told police that her boyfriend asked her to lie to investigators 
about what happened as they drove to the hospital, a police report states. He 
then allegedly lied himself about what happened, blaming it on the mother.

The couple told doctors that they found JJ face down in the bathtub after he 
was left unattended, but doctors found no evidence of fluid in the boy's lungs, 
charging documents state.

Bridgeman returns to court for a hearing on July 27. Schoenenberger's next 
hearing will be July 17.

(source: Deseret News)