Saturday, March 27, 2010

Tacoma, WA: Jury deliberating in Orting ax killings

A jury in Tacoma is deliberating in the aggravated murder trial of a man accused of killing his estranged wife and stepdaughter with an ax.

The Associated Press
TACOMA, Wash. —
A jury in Tacoma is deliberating in the aggravated murder trial of a man accused of killing his estranged wife and stepdaughter with an ax.

Fifty-three-year-old Charles Nettlebeck faces life in prison if convicted as charged for the March 2009 killings of Barbara Joe Nettlebeck and Bretta Joan Hawkins during a garage sale at a home near Orting.

Deputy prosecutors Mary Robnett and Sunni Ko say he argued with his wife over the proceeds.

His defense lawyer says Nettlebeck suffered a "psychotic break" when he killed the women.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports a conviction on a second-degree murder charge might allow Nettlebeck out of prison some day.

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