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DA considering death penalty in double-homicide

The Lycoming County district attorney is considering seeking the death penalty against Jordan Rawls if he is convicted in a 2016 double-homicide case, according to the court administrator. A second attorney will be hired for the defense.

Rawls, 24, of 1024 Race St., is one of two suspects charged in the Oct. 31 double homicide of Kristine Kibler, 50, and her son, Shane Wright, 25, in their home on Poplar Street in Newberry.

During their meeting Tuesday morning, the county commissioners considered hiring E. J. Rymsza, at $125 per hour, as a second attorney in the defense of Rawls.

District Attorney Eric R. Linhardt confirmed he is considering seeking the death penalty, but he stressed a final decision has yet to be made.

“Mr. Rawls is potentially eligible for the death penalty because there are multiple victims and because the murders occurred during the course of a robbery,” Linhardt said. “There are two penalties available to us: Life without parole or death.”

By law, two attorneys must be hired for a death-penalty case, according to J. David Smith, county solicitor.

Adrianne Stahl, court administrator, said Rymsza will attempt to find mitigating evidence in the case in an effort to convince Linhardt not to pursue the death penalty.

The estimated cost for attorney fees in a death-penalty case could run at least $200,000, not including other court costs, said Stahl. If Linhardt decides not to pursue the death penalty, the attorney fees would be roughly $50,000, she said.

Linhardt said the cost of prosecution is only one of many factors considered.

“Ultimately, the most important factor is whether we conclude that of the penalties available, Mr. Rawls most deserves death,” Linhardt said.

Ronald Travis, also at $125 per hour, was the first attorney hired to handle the case. Stahl said if Rymsza is able to find enough evidence to convince Linhardt not to pursue the death penalty, then his contract will end and Travis will remain the sole attorney.

“Two heads are better than one,” Stahl said. She said hiring Rymsza could “save someone’s life and the county lots of money.”

“Spending a little bit now could save the county a lot of money down the road,” Commissioner Rick Mirabito agreed.

The commissioners will vote to approve the agreement with Rymsza during their Thursday meeting.

In other business, the commissioners considered approving Community Development Block Grants for two local projects.

Kristin McLaughlin, project coordinator for SEDA-Council of Governments, said the YWCA will receive $28,901 for its project, which is in the design phase.

Additionally, $81,524 will be approved for the South Williamsport Church Street construction project, McLaughlin said. The project now is finished, but the funds will go to pay the remaining bills, she added.

Additionally, the commissioners considered approval of 11 property assessment refunds for structures destroyed or damaged by the Oct. 21 flash flooding.

These and other items will be voted on during the Thursday meeting.

The next commissioners meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. This is postponed from the normal 10 a.m. time so the commissioners may attend the funeral of Steve Tucker, former director of the county Resource Management Services. Tucker passed away on Monday.

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