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Woman Convicted in Pa. Hatchet Slaying
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (AP) - A woman was convicted Monday of murdering her neighbor with a hatchet, striking the 83-year-old Pearl Harbor veteran nearly 70 times as he begged for his life.
Prosecutors said 25-year-old Shonda D. Walter carried out the attack because she wanted to join a gang, and one of the initiation requirements was to commit a crime. She also stole $500 in quarters from the veteran and drove away in his Toyota Camry.
The jury took less than 30 minutes to convict Walter of first-degree murder in the slaying of James Sementelli.
Witnesses at the trial testified that Walter said she took a break during the slaying to recite the Lord's Prayer, etched a cross in the veteran's stomach as he neared death, then watched TV and ate a bowl of ice cream before making off with his car and money.
``We thought that the evidence was overwhelming and, obviously, the jury did too,'' District Attorney Ted McKnight said.
Defense attorney Stephen Smith said he was disappointed but not surprised by the verdict.
Several dozen members of Sementelli's family cried and hugged each other as the verdict was read.
``That's no way for anyone to be treated. I hope it never happens to anyone ever again,'' said William Sementelli, the victim's brother.
After the verdict was announced, the jury began deliberations to decide if Walter should receive the death penalty or life in prison.
Sementelli grew up in Lock Haven and was stationed at the Army's Fort Weaver on Oahu when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. After the war, he returned to Lock Haven, where he worked as a taxi driver, in the post office and at a paper mill.
04/18/05 16:46
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (AP) - A woman was convicted Monday of murdering her neighbor with a hatchet, striking the 83-year-old Pearl Harbor veteran nearly 70 times as he begged for his life.
Prosecutors said 25-year-old Shonda D. Walter carried out the attack because she wanted to join a gang, and one of the initiation requirements was to commit a crime. She also stole $500 in quarters from the veteran and drove away in his Toyota Camry.
The jury took less than 30 minutes to convict Walter of first-degree murder in the slaying of James Sementelli.
Witnesses at the trial testified that Walter said she took a break during the slaying to recite the Lord's Prayer, etched a cross in the veteran's stomach as he neared death, then watched TV and ate a bowl of ice cream before making off with his car and money.
``We thought that the evidence was overwhelming and, obviously, the jury did too,'' District Attorney Ted McKnight said.
Defense attorney Stephen Smith said he was disappointed but not surprised by the verdict.
Several dozen members of Sementelli's family cried and hugged each other as the verdict was read.
``That's no way for anyone to be treated. I hope it never happens to anyone ever again,'' said William Sementelli, the victim's brother.
After the verdict was announced, the jury began deliberations to decide if Walter should receive the death penalty or life in prison.
Sementelli grew up in Lock Haven and was stationed at the Army's Fort Weaver on Oahu when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. After the war, he returned to Lock Haven, where he worked as a taxi driver, in the post office and at a paper mill.
04/18/05 16:46
