Death penalty fitting for Degorski?

Kristen Smith, Jim Degorski's ex girlfriend told jurors that her yearlong relationship with him ended in a terrifying beating by Degorski after their breakup. Smith told the court that "after the beating, he bound her with duct tape and drove her to a hotel, where he threatened to kill her unless she dated him again."

But Jennifer Peters, another ex girlfriend, said that in the five years they dated, Degorski "never, ever, ever hit me, ever." Is Peters' testimony convincing enough to spare Jim Degorski of the death penalty despite Smith's character-damaging statements? Dennis Rader, otherwise known as the "BTK Killer," killed 10 people in Kansas. Rader had a family, a wife, served with the U.S. Army, was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church, a Boy Scout leader, and worked as a trusted, sometimes strict, supervisor for the compliance department at Park City.

No one suspected him of these murders, but just as well, he was a serial killer and received a life sentence. Will Jim Degorski receive a life sentence, like partner in crime Juan Luna, and the notorious BTK killer? Or is the death penalty more appropriate?

Liz Lichter

Naperville