GREENSBURG, Pa.,None — In a surprise move on Monday, a defense attorney withdrew his motion to have his client tried as a juvenile in the torture slaying of a disabled woman in Greensburg.
Angela Marinucci, who is now 18, met with District Attorney John Peck last month about her version of the February 2010 killing of Jennifer Daugherty, 30, in Greensburg.
In court on Monday, her defense attorney, Michael DeMatt, withdrew the motion to have her tried as a juvenile, since she was 17 at the time of the killing. Marinucci took the stand and told the judge she understands what she's doing.
"After reviewing everything and speaking with my client we decided it was not in the best interest to proceed on that," said Dematt.
Peck is pursuing the death penalty against three of the five other defendants, including 25-year-old Ricky Smyrnes -- who was Marinucci's boyfriend at the time.
Authorities said Marinucci instigated the beating and attacks on Daugherty because she was jealous of Smyrnes having sex with the victim.
Daugherty's family called Monday's news a "pleasant surprise."
"It's a tremendous victory for the family and for Jennifer," said Daugherty's father Bobby Murphy.
Since she will be tried as an adult, by law, Marnucci cannot be sentenced to the death penalty because she was underage at the time of the crime.
Previous Stories: March 17, 2011: Lawyers Work For Plea Bargain For Youngest Greensburg Torture, Slaying Suspect November 2, 2010: Defendant Describes Days Leading Up To Greensburg Woman's Slaying November 1, 2010: Greensburg Slaying Suspects Could Be Tried Separately October 15, 2010: Greensburg Torture Slaying Suspect Wants Death Penalty Nixed September 15, 2010: Prosecution Wants More Time To Investigate Greensburg Slaying Suspect
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