Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Crawford County Double Murder Suspect
Erie News Now
Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against the suspect charged in a Crawford County double homicide, according to District Attorney Francis Schultz.
Schultz filed a Notice of Aggravating Circumstances in the case against Jack E. Turner, 21.
“The purpose of the Notice of Aggravating Circumstances is to put the defendant on notice that the Commonwealth will be seeking the death penalty against him and to provide the defendant with sufficient time and information to prepare for the sentencing hearing if the defendant is convicted of murder of the first degree in the killings of the victims,” said Schultz.
Turner shot and killed his step-mother Shannon Whitman, 49, and his brother Darrin Whitman, 10, according to investigators. It happened Aug. 10, 2019, in the Whitman’s home in Guys Mills. Investigators said both were both shot in the head and were discovered dead by Turner's father when he came home from work.
Turner stole several items from the victims' home, including his father's .22 caliber rifle, Shannon Whitman's .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a safe, and prescription medications, according to the criminal complaint. The two guns police say he stole were not one of the weapons Turner allegedly used in the homicide, according to the Crawford County District Attorney.
Turner was initially charged Aug. 11 with the theft of the Whitman’s 2009 Lincoln MKS vehicle. He was arraigned on the homicide charges Oct. 7.
Turner was also charged with the robbery of a Kwik Fill in Millcreek Township on Aug. 11, and for stealing a car from the driveway of a Titusville home Aug. 9. Police said the vehicle was later found with damage at a gravel pit.
After a nationwide manhunt, law enforcement arrested Turner at a bus station in Charleston, West Virginia. He was brought back to Crawford County on Aug. 28, where he has been sitting in the prison ever since.
https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/41...murder-suspect
Bookmarks