Arkansas death row inmate seeks new trial

Published April 5, 2012 3:27PM (EDT)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas inmate sentenced to death for killing a University of Arkansas student is seeking a new trial.

A judge in Fayetteville is considering the request from Zachariah Marcyniuk, who was sentenced to die by lethal injection for the killing of his ex-girlfriend, Katie Wood.

The Northwest Arkansas Times reports (http://is.gd/Qa7tBC ) that the hearing began Wednesday and continues Thursday. Marcyniuk claims his trial attorney did not ask prospective jurors whether they would automatically vote to impose the death penalty upon a conviction.

Prosecutors say Marcyniuk broke into Wood's apartment on March 9, 2008, and attacked her when she opened her front door. Wood was stabbed to death.

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld Marcyniuk's conviction and death sentence in May 2010.

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Information from: Northwest Arkansas Times, http://www.nwaonline.com


By Salon Staff

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