Washington DA seeks death penalty in stabbing death
The Washington County District Attorney’s office is seeking the death penalty against Coal Center man charged in stabbing death of his elderly neighbor.
Evelyn Stepko, 92, was found dead in her Pike Run Drive home on July 17. Her property was within sight of the home of David A. McClelland, 56, it has been alleged in the criminal complaint that he had systematically stolen large amounts of cash from her home prior to her death.
Stepko was found in her basement with two stab wounds to the neck and multiple broken ribs.
Formal arraignments were held Tuesday before Judge Paul Pozonsky for McClelland, his wife, Diane McClelland, 48, and his son, David J. (D.J.) McClelland, 36. David McClelland and D.J. McClelland both face homicide charges and are being held without bond at separate jails. Only the elder McClelland faces the possibility of the death penalty.
Assistant District Attorney Mike Lucas explained that the death penalty only can be sought under specific circumstances, and only the case against David A. McClelland fit that criteria.
“First off, in order to pursue the death penalty, we have to have a premeditated killing, which is a murder in the first degree,” Lucas said. “We have to meet one of 18 different aggravating circumstances, too. The only aggravating circumstance that applied in this case was that the killing occurred in the perpetration of a felony.”
Pozonsky said that while all three cases will be placed on the January trial calendar, it is likely that the trial for David A. McClelland could be postponed until the middle of 2012 because of the preparation needed to defend a capital case.
David A. McClelland and D.J. McClelland both face charges of criminal homicide, dealing in the proceeds of a crime, receiving stolen property, as well as conspiracy to commit each of those crimes plus conspiracy to commit robbery, theft and burglary. David A. McClelland is being held at the Washington County Correctional Facility and D.J. McClelland is being held at an out-of-county jail.
Diane McClelland is free on $100,000. Pozonsky reminded her of the serious nature of her charges.
“She understands she is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit homicide, which carries the same penalty as if she is charged with homicide?” Pozonsky asked Diane McClelland’s attorney, Brian Gorman.
Diane McClelland also is charged with dealing in the proceeds of a crime, receiving stolen property and hindering the apprehension of a criminal.
The three McClellands allegedly gambled large sums of cash at the Meadows Casino, and bought cars and guns.
D.J. McClelland is a former Washington Township police officer.
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