While we're on the subject of serial killers: Robert Lee Yates Jr sentanced to death

beef curtains · 10-04-2002, 08:49 PM

http://www.krem.com/news/serial-kill...yarchives.html

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/nati...-Slayings.html

Admitted Serial Killer Gets Death
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 10:01 a.m. ET

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- Jurors who sentenced a 50-year-old father of five to death said they struggled to find mitigating circumstances that would warrant leniency for the serial killer, Robert Lee Yates Jr.

``We didn't find any,'' juror Renee Rouleau-White told reporters.

Yates showed no reaction when the penalty decision was read Thursday in Pierce County Superior Court.
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He was already serving a 408-year sentence stemming from a plea agreement two years ago in which he admitted murdering 13 people since 1975. The death sentenced came from his conviction Sept. 19 in the murders of two more, Melinda Mercer in 1997 and Connie LaFontaine Ellis in 1998.

Like 10 of the previous victims, Mercer, 24, and Ellis, 35, died between 1996 and 1998 after encountering Yates while working as prostitutes.

The two cases went to court after Pierce County prosecutors refused to sign off on the Spokane plea deal and charged Yates with aggravated first-degree murder, the state's only capital crime.

``He richly deserved the death penalty,'' said Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Jerry Costello.

As the verdict was read, Holly Bartlett kissed a photo of Mercer, her sister. The girls' mother, Karyl Bushell, responded quickly to the jurors' request that she stop by before leaving: ``I want to hug each and every one of them.''

Bushell and Ellis' father both testified during the penalty phase.

``If anybody deserves the death penalty, it was Yates,'' Ellis' father, Emil LaFontaine from Rolla, N.D., said when told of the sentence.

After Yates was taken from the courtroom, his father, Robert Lee Yates Sr., and a sister, Shirley Hess, hugged and wept.

Defense attorney Roger Hunko said he would begin an appeal after the sentence is officially imposed Wednesday. He said the appeals process could take seven years.

After the hearing, several jurors spoke with compassion of Yates' family. His wife and children were not in court for the penalty decision -- they returned to Walla Walla after hearing Yates' 14-minute address to the jury Wednesday.

``You can dang well bet I'll be bothered for a while,'' said juror Bill Good. But ``I don't feel guilty, really, like I thought I would.

Fattening Ass · 10-04-2002, 08:50 PM

Burn the witch!

Toast · 10-04-2002, 09:37 PM

Fry him.

beef curtains · 10-04-2002, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toast
Fry him.

where in Washington State foolio?

tootsie · 10-04-2002, 09:52 PM

serial killers fascinate me.

i hope that doesnt mean im a psycho.

Toast · 10-05-2002, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by So very sad about me
where in Washington State foolio?

I live in Sedro-Woolley... about an hour north of Seattle.

10-04-2002, 08:49 PM	#1
beef curtains Immortal Location: I like me so much better when you're naked Posts: 21,752	While we're on the subject of serial killers: Robert Lee Yates Jr sentanced to death http://www.krem.com/news/serial-kill...yarchives.html http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/nati...-Slayings.html Admitted Serial Killer Gets Death By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 10:01 a.m. ET TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- Jurors who sentenced a 50-year-old father of five to death said they struggled to find mitigating circumstances that would warrant leniency for the serial killer, Robert Lee Yates Jr. ``We didn't find any,'' juror Renee Rouleau-White told reporters. Yates showed no reaction when the penalty decision was read Thursday in Pierce County Superior Court. Advertisement He was already serving a 408-year sentence stemming from a plea agreement two years ago in which he admitted murdering 13 people since 1975. The death sentenced came from his conviction Sept. 19 in the murders of two more, Melinda Mercer in 1997 and Connie LaFontaine Ellis in 1998. Like 10 of the previous victims, Mercer, 24, and Ellis, 35, died between 1996 and 1998 after encountering Yates while working as prostitutes. The two cases went to court after Pierce County prosecutors refused to sign off on the Spokane plea deal and charged Yates with aggravated first-degree murder, the state's only capital crime. ``He richly deserved the death penalty,'' said Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Jerry Costello. As the verdict was read, Holly Bartlett kissed a photo of Mercer, her sister. The girls' mother, Karyl Bushell, responded quickly to the jurors' request that she stop by before leaving: ``I want to hug each and every one of them.'' Bushell and Ellis' father both testified during the penalty phase. ``If anybody deserves the death penalty, it was Yates,'' Ellis' father, Emil LaFontaine from Rolla, N.D., said when told of the sentence. After Yates was taken from the courtroom, his father, Robert Lee Yates Sr., and a sister, Shirley Hess, hugged and wept. Defense attorney Roger Hunko said he would begin an appeal after the sentence is officially imposed Wednesday. He said the appeals process could take seven years. After the hearing, several jurors spoke with compassion of Yates' family. His wife and children were not in court for the penalty decision -- they returned to Walla Walla after hearing Yates' 14-minute address to the jury Wednesday. ``You can dang well bet I'll be bothered for a while,'' said juror Bill Good. But ``I don't feel guilty, really, like I thought I would. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-04-2002, 08:50 PM	#2
Fattening Ass Just Hook it to My Veins! Location: Planet Nintendu 64 Posts: 30,825	Burn the witch! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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10-04-2002, 09:37 PM	#3
Toast Apocalyptic Poster Location: Woodinville, Wa. Posts: 3,193	Fry him.

10-04-2002, 09:52 PM	#5
tootsie Minion of Satan Location: go go gadget goggler Posts: 5,346	serial killers fascinate me. i hope that doesnt mean im a psycho.