Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty For O'Berry
A sex offender charged with killing an Oklahoma Sunday School teacher could get the death penalty, if he's convicted in the case.
James O'Berry is charged with luring Nelly Pelts, 27, from a Del City Walmart store to the Christ Gospel Church and killing her. Police said after stabbing her multiple times, he ran over Pelts' body with his car.
Earlier this year, after his arrest, he said, "I'm a Christian. I don't know what happened. I blacked out. I swear to God."
In a preliminary hearing on Friday, prosecutors said they planned to pursue the death penalty in his case.
District Attorney David Prater said his office will pursue a capital murder conviction because the crime was legally considered heinous, atrocious and cruel. Aggravating circumstances are required before prosecutors can pursue a death-penalty conviction.
"The judge found probable cause that, in this case, that he did commit this crime," Prater said.
Pelts' pastor said she won't soon be forgotten.
"You can't even walk in the door of the church without remember some aspect of Nelly because she was so involved with the church and so willing to be involved with the church," said the Rev. Kevin Anderson.
http://www.koco.com/r/24706973/detail.html
Bookmarks