"Worst of the Worst: Cases Within the Last 5 years that Qualified for the Death Penalty but Resulted in Lesser Sentences", 2014

Worst of the Worst? The following are cases within the last 5 years that qualified for the Death
Penalty but resulted in lesser sentences

e Robert Drown, J r.—Double Child Killer, Rapist. Pled Guilty. Life in Prison by plea agreement. (May
2010). Life in prison is a plea deal the family agreed to to avoid potentially years of appeals and legal
wranglings. WSAZ News, Grayson KY

e Raymond Clutter— Murderer, Rapist, Dismembered His Victim. After a mistrial because of prosecutor
error, the Commonwealth chose not to seek death a jury sentenced him to life in prison. (August, 2010)
Burlington KY

e Michael Abner— Serial Killer. Pled guilty and received a life sentence. Eligible for parole at age 82.
(Arrested J an 2010)

e Lloyd Hammond—Triple Murderer. J ury sentenced him to life without parole. (J une 2010; case later
overturned (2012) and he awaiting a new trial. Two of the murder charges have been dropped.

e Raymond Harris— Hitman. Killed for $1000. Sentenced to life without parole for 25 years. (May 2008)
Killed a sheriff for money or profit.

e Clayton Jackson—Triple Child Killer. | ury sentenced him to life. Prosecutor says justice was served.
(2011 conviction) Conviction overturned in 2013; waiting new trial.

e Cecil New— Pedophile, Child Killer, Rapist. Sentenced by judge to life in prison without parole for
kidnapping, raping and killing a 4-year old boy. (December 2010)

e Said Biyad— Quadruple Child Murderer. Killed His Four children. Prosecutor did not seek death penalty;
judge call this the “worst criminal case” he had seen in 18 years on the bench. Sentenced to life. (J une
2011)

e Miguel Angel Velazquez—Triple Murder with Gun, Baseball Bat and Choking. Plea agreement.
Sentenced to life by the judge. (J uly 2011)

e Nicholas Salfi— Murderer. J udge in case stated: ‘This is one of the most serious crimes this court has
ever seen.” And the prosecutor said: “[O Jne of the most brutal crimes I’ve ever seen...” The jury
recommended and the judge imposed a 55 year sentence. (August 2011)

e Robin Maple— Murderer, Kidnapper. At the request of the victim's family the prosecutor did not seek
death. Serving a life without parole sentence. (April 2011)

e William Blancet, Sr. - triple murder, first degree robbery, wanton endangerment; allowed to plead guilty
for life without parole, J une 2013, Fayette County

e Samuel Daniels - convicted of the murder of two persons; also two counts of robbery - jury sentenced
to life without parole on the murders and 10 years on the robberies. Sep 10, 2013 J efferson Co.

e J ohn Devine Sr -- Admitted to murdering his ex-girlfriend in her sleep and their two little boys, 5 and 6.
July 15, 2012, J efferson County. Sentenced to life without parole.

For more information contact Shekinah Lavalle at 502.636.1330 or shekinah.lavalle@ kcadp.org.
Visit www.kcadp.org.