Pocono News Section

Pocono Jury Deliberates in Death Penalty Case

Pocono Jury Deliberates in Death Penalty Case - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 5:50PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 @ 05:50pm EDT
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - A jury holds a man's life in its hands. Jason Koehler shot two people to death during a crack and alcohol bender. It happened in Polk Township, Monroe County in 2004. now he could face the death penalty.

The jury began deliberating around 3:15 Tuesday. Jurors have three days of testimony and two very different stories to sort out.

Jason Koehler admits he killed his drug dealer Jason Gray and their friend Jennifer Cullinan. Koehler also admits he shot Jose Joubert. Joubert survived. Police say Koehler and an accomplice emptied all three victim's pockets then ransacked the house and dumped the bodies down a flight of stairs.
While everyone in the courtroom agreed Koehler fired the gun, some disagreed on why he did it. Prosecuter Mike Mancuso said, "The motive was robbery pure and simple."

But Koehler claims he shot in self defense. His attorney said, "[He may be] a drug addict, a burglar, a thief but not a murderer."

Koehler testified Gray pointed a gun at him when he entered the house so he shot him in self defense. Koehler claims he shot Joubert because he might retaliate. He said he fired at Cullinan by accident. His lawyer said, "[It was] a case of self defense. He had to make the decision to be killed or to kill."

Prosecuters call that story "absurd." Mancuso said every shot Koehler fired hit a person He said, "It was an execution."

This is the second time Koehler will hear a sentence in this case. In 2005 he pleaded guilty to the crimes but changed his mind just before he was sentenced. He asked to withdraw his plea but the judge sentenced him anyway. She said he must spend between 40 and 80 years behind bars. He appealed that decision and won a new trial.