DA Wants Death Penalty In 1993 New Castle Rape-Murder Case

NEW CASTLE, Pa.,None — A New Castle prosecutor has filed court papers saying he'll seek the death penalty against one of two defendants in the murder of a 15-year-old girl in 1993.

Joseph Marshall Jr., 39, of Pulaski Township, and Sean McDonough, 38, of Thibodaux, La., were arrested last September after Marshall's estranged wife told authorities Marshall had confessed to killing Laura Lynn Thompson a few months after her January 1993 murder.

The Marshalls were engaged at the time.

Shannon Marshall told police she was with Marshall when he dug up the body later that year and scattered the remains in a ravine near New Castle.

Shannon Marshall has not been charged. and police said Joseph Marshall has been cooperating.

McDonough and Marshall have pleaded not guilty to charges that they killed the girl after McDonough allegedly raped her.

Previous Stories: September 28, 2010: DA: Crews Will Dig For Body Of Slain Cold Case Victim

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