Death penalty announced in Illinois deaths

BENTON -- Franklin County state's attorney Tom Dinn says he plans to seek the death penalty against one of two suspects in a double killing in the southern Illinois city of West Frankfort.

Dinn says he will ask for the death penalty for 19-year-old Afton Ferris in the October shooting deaths of 32-year-old Terri Seibeck and 28-year-old Kandis Majors. Ferris and boyfriend 29-year-old Michael Schallert were arrested in Colorado in the deaths.

On Friday, Ferris pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in Franklin County court. Schallert already has pleaded not guilty.

Authorities say the victims were shot several times and were found the next day on the floor of their West Frankfort home.