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DA wont seek death penalty in Lott case

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  • Originally published May 29, 2008 at 11:19 p.m., updated May 29, 2008 at 11:19 p.m.

A man charged with helping to kill his girlfriend in March 2006 will not face the death penalty.

Bruce Hughes is charged with capital murder in the beating death of 42-year-old Melba Lott.

“The state’s intent is not to seek the death penalty,” prosecutor Brian Hroch said Thursday.

If found guilty of capital murder, Hughes will face an automatic life sentence in prison.

Hughes, 39, is accused of going to Lott’s apartment with Amanda Jo Walters, 20, and Stanford Harvey, 41, to sell cocaine.

Harvey and Hughes beat Lott to death after Walters accused Lott of trying to smoke crack without paying for it, Walters told police in a 2006 interview.

Hughes will appear in court again on July 23.



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Comments

  • noecando noecando Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    I pose this question to you. Why was so much emphasis put on the Sally Blackwell murder and so little on the Melba Lott murder. One was much more vicious than the other, dealing with everything from drugs, money and a violent death and yet, not much news play on that story. Not nearly as much as the first. Just wondering.......

    May 30, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
  • JWayne JWayne Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    He doesn't have the money, time or energy, he is using all three up to prosecute the good guys.

    May 30, 2008 at 9:07 a.m.
  • ShureleeUJest ShureleeUJest Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Earlier, someone posted the comment that it is harder to get the death penality because a proecutor is never sure how a jury feel about the death penalty, regardless of the merits of the case, so they go for a lesser penalty to ensure a conviction. It's a reasonable worry - will a criminal get off because just one juror won't vote for the death penalty or is it better to make sure the perp at least goes to jail for punishment.

    My thought... sadly, expediency won out here. Whatever Tyler's motives are, Lott should have faced the death penalty. The victim's background should have nothing to do with how the case is/was handled. Did Lott kill her? Then he should die, period.

    May 30, 2008 at 9:05 a.m.
  • AthenaThunderbolt AthenaThunderbolt Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Absolutely Amazing! Am I surprised at our DA isn't seeking the death penalty? I shouldn't be! ANOTHER example of the INCOMPETENCE. How did Tyler come to this decision? Let's see ... the victim had a drug abuse history; therefore her life isn't "worthy" of seeking a death penalty over ?!?!?! Sheeeze!

    May 30, 2008 at 7:13 a.m.