Defense Motions Against Death Penalty Denied
ELKTON, Md. (AP) -- A judge has denied eight motions seeking to avoid the death penalty as a sentencing option by lawyers for a man accused of kidnapping and killing an 11-year-old girl.
Judge J. Frederick Price in Cecil County Circuit Court denied the motions by public defenders for Thomas J. Leggs Jr., 31, on Wednesday. They had claimed that death by lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment.
Leggs is charged with murder and other offenses in the kidnapping and slaying of Sarah Foxwell. Her burned remains were found Christmas Day 2009 in Wicomico County. The trial has been moved to Cecil County.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
