February, 2010 has seen two long-pending capital cases end in negotiated pleas and life sentences.   

In Norfolk, Kentrell L. Sanderson plead guilty to the capital murder of his 12-year-old step- daughter on February 11, 2010.   Sanderson's trial was set to begin in March, but press reports indicated that discovery of a medical examiner's history of drug and alcohol abuse lead to a negotiated plea.   Sanderson was sentenced to four life terms without the possibility of parole plus five years.  He was represented by Nancy Kight of the Southeastern Region Capital Defender's Office, and by Tim Quick and Ed Fiorella of Norfolk. 

For more information see: http://www.norfolk.com/2010/02/man-pleads-guilty-stepdaughters-murder-avoids-death-penalty

On Friday February 19, Justin Shane Slater pled guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the Frederick County Circuit Court.   Slater was charged with capital murder in both Frederick and Clarke circuit courts for the killing of his brother, Gregory Scott Slater Jr., 28, and his ex-girlfriend, Kayleigh Marie Plamondon, 22.  Slater was represented by Frederick County Public Defender Tim Coyne and by former Northern Virginia Capital Defender Joseph Flood, now of  Devine, Connell, Sheldon & Flood, PLC, of Fairfax.  He will serve three life terms plus 53 years, all to run consecutively.

For more information see: http://www.nvdaily.com/news/2010/04/slater-sentenced-to-life-for-slaying-brother-ex-girlfriend.php