Next Bargo hearing set for Oct. 9
The decision of whether Michael Bargo will spend the rest of his life in prison or be sentenced to death for the 2011 murder of Seath Jackson has been delayed more than a month, according to an official court announcement Friday morning.
The first step in the process, known as a Spencer hearing, had been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. But that has now been moved back to 9 a.m. Oct. 9, according to Kristina Valdez, court operations manager.
The delay is a result of a scheduling issue, according to Assistant State Attorney Robin Arnold.
Bargo’s ultimate fate will not be decided during this hearing, but instead at a later sentencing date, according to Arnold. A sentencing date will be scheduled after Circuit Judge David Eddy hears all the evidence presented at the October hearing.
A Spencer hearing is designed for both the defense and state to present any evidence or case law that might help to prove their case for either a life or death sentence.
Bargo, 21, was found guilty on Aug. 20 for his role in the 2011 murder of 15-year-old Seath. On Aug. 27 the same jury recommended Bargo be put to death for his actions by a vote of 10-2.
The final decision will be left to the judge, but he is required to give “great weight” to the jury’s recommendation.
Bargo, along with several co-defendants who are currently in prison for life, are accused of luring Seath to a Summerfield home where prosecutors believe they shot and beat him and then burned his body, putting the remains in five-gallon paint buckets that were dumped into a rock quarry.
http://www.ocala.com/article/2013090...CLES/130909802
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