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Pocono News Section
Buckner Avoids Death Penalty
Buckner Avoids Death Penalty - Monday, June 14, 2010 at 04:06AM EST
Reported by: Eyewitness News
Monday June 14 2010
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- A Wilkes-Barre man will not face the death penalty after waiving his right to a jury trial.
36-year-old Donnell Buckner is accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife last March. Prosecutors say he killed Kewaii Rogers Buckner right in front of the couple's three children.
It happened just three days after a protection from abuse order was issued against Donnell Buckner.
Buckner was in Luzerne County court this morning as jury selection was set to begin. Instead he waived his right to a jury trial. Judge Tina Polacheck Gartley will decide Buckner's fate at the bench trial. That's set to begin a week from today.
Buckner could have faced the death penalty if convicted by a jury. Now he faces life in prison if found guilty by Judge Gartley. | | |
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