DA permitted to pursue death penalty for Keith Jordan Lambing
The District Attorney's office will be permitted to continue to pursue the death penalty in the case of a 22-year-old Butler man accused of raping a 4-year-old, who later died.
County Judge Timothy McCune responded to several requests earlier this month made by Keith Jordan Lambing's defense team.
In preparation for a criminal trial, public defender Charles Nedz asked McCune for several actions, including the removal of Lambing's most serious charge of criminal homicide along with the state's desire seek to execute Lambing. Lambing maintains his innocence.
If a jury finds Lambing guilty, a separate sentencing phase will begin for the death penalty.
Gov. Tom Wolf put a halt to the state's execution of all death row inmates in 2015. Lambing is facing multiple charges, including first-degree homicide, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with serious bodily injury, and rape of a child.
The judge's order also denies Nedz's motion to remove an interview police conducted with Lambing after Bentley Thomas Miller died from internal injuries in March 2017.
This is an excerpt— read the full article in Friday's Butler Eagle.
