Feds can seek death penalty in postal murders trial
MEMPHIS - A judge has ruled federal prosecutors may seek the death penalty against Chastain Montgomery, the man charged with killing two female post office workers in rural West Tennessee.
CBS affiliate WREG reports that Chastain Montgomery was found competent to potentially face the ultimate sentence. He confessed that he and his son robbed the Henning Post Office in 2010 and killed two employees.
Despite admitting to planning and carrying out the post office robbery that netted just $63, Montgomery’s attorney says his confession was coerced and he didn’t have a lawyer at that time.
For months, the two eluded police, until Montgomery’s son was reportedly stopped for another crime.According to WREG, officers say the son opened fire on them and they shot and killed him.The elder Montgomery was arrested when he came to the scene.
Officers say the pair had the same guns used in the Henning murders.
The judge in the case says potential jurors will be
brought in April 1.