Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: State won't ask death in Basu case Date: Thu, 19 Nov 92 15:23:03 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN \SS (WS) \HD State won't ask death in Basu case \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT ELLICOTT CITY, Md. ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) - Howard County prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for two men charged with killing Pam Basu during a carjacking. Rodney Eugene Soloman, 26, and Bernard Eric Miller, 16, are charged with first-degree murder and 18 other counts in the death of Mrs. Basu, who was a chemist at W.R. Grace Co. in Columbia. Mrs. Basu was dragged to her death after the defendants forced her from her car on Sept. 8 and then drove off with her entangled in a seat belt, prosecutors say. The prosecution filed notices during a hearing in Howard Circuit Court Tuesday that they will seek life without parole. State law prohibits the prosecution from seeking the death penalty for Mr. Miller because he is a juvenile, although he is charged as an adult. But Howard County State's Attorney William Hymes said prosecutors may reconsider seeking the death penalty for Soloman as they prepare for trial. A police report filed in court said Soloman was driving the car. Defense attorneys said they are not surprised by the prosecution's decision to seek life sentences. Prosecutors also withdrew a motion asking for a joint trial for the defendants. Mr. Hymes said prosecutors decided to withdraw the request because of the complexity of the case. His office wants to avoid introducing evidence against one defendant that could incriminate the other defendant and provide a basis for an appeal. "We don't want to give the appellate courts any grounds to overturn a conviction," Mr. Hymes said. Both defendants are being held without bond at the county Detention Center. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM