Suspect Found Guilty In Boy's Fatal Beating Sentenced To Death Penalty
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The man found guilty in the fatal beating of his girlfriend's young son in Fayette County has now been sentenced to the death penalty.
Patrick Haney showed little emotion when the jury came back with the death penalty verdict inside the Fayette County Courthouse Wednesday.
On Tuesday, it took the jury an hour and a half to find Haney guilty of first-degree murder in the September 2011 beating death of 4-year-old Trenton St. Clair, Jr.
It took that same panel the same amount to recommend the 29-year-old man from Point Marion go to death row.
"We can actually go to sleep at night and walk with a smile on our face again," said Sharon Smitley, the boy's grandmother.
Smitley was in the courtroom during Wednesday's penalty phase, during which the convicted killer told the jury his childhood was difficult and he had few friends.
Deanna Coburn took the stand pleading for the jury to spare her son's life.
"My son did not do this," said Coburn. "I'd bet my life on him. My son did not do this."
However, the six men and six women in the jury box chose not to.
"Death, it will mean the same thing for me," said Coburn. "There will be no point in life."
"Do I feel sorry for him? Oh no, I have no remorse for him whatsoever. None," said Smitley. "He showed no remorse for my grandson when I read what I had to read. But he was showing all kind of remorse when he sat on the witness stand with all his little lies. I have no remorse, no. And God will forgive me for the way I feel."
Under state law, Haney has one mandatory appeal.
On Monday, the child's mother, Heather Forsythe, testified against Haney after reaching a plea bargain. There will be no homicide charges for her after pleading guilty to reckless endangerment charges and she will face two-and-a-half to five years in jail.
RELATED LINKS
Haney Found Guilty In 4-Year-Old Fayette Co. Boy's Beating Death (3/11/14)
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