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Murder of Jennifer Daugherty

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Jennifer Daugherty
File:Jennifer Daugherty.jpg
Born
Jennifer Lee Daugherty

(1979-11-08)November 8, 1979
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedFebruary 11, 2010(2010-02-11) (aged 30)
Greensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Known forMentally disabled woman who was tortured and stabbed to death by "The Greensburg Six"

Jennifer Lee Daugherty (November 8, 1979 – February 11, 2010) was an American woman who was torture-murdered in Greensburg, Pennsylvania as an act of revenge in February 2010. Daugherty, who was mentally disabled, was tortured and murdered before being wrapped in Christmas decorations, put inside a garbage can and dumped in the parking lot of Greensburg-Salem Middle School.

Amber Meidinger met Melvin Knight at a homeless shelter in Washington in January 2010. They moved to several locations before settling in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where they met Jennifer Daugherty.[1] Knight met Ricky Smyrnes after meeting previously in jail.[2]

Perpetrators

Knight

Melvin L. Knight (born 27th October 1989)[3] was born to a drug-addicted father who was imprisoned during the early years of his life. He developed lifelong learning and social problems after he fell out of a moving vehicle and hit his head at age 5.[4]

Marinucci

Angela Lynn Marinucci (born 14th July 1992),[3] according to a testimony by her mother and half sister, she suffered a catastrophic head injury in 2008 when she was hit by a truck at the age of 15 that substantially altered her life. The injury changed her behavior and pushed her into a downward spiral that ended with Daugherty’s death, according to the defense. Two mental experts testified that Marinucci as a child suffered from depression and that she may have had a drug and alcohol problem as a teenager.[5]

Masters

Meidinger

Miller

Smyrnes

Ricky Ven Edward Smyrnes (born 6th March 1986)[3] was born to a drug-addicted Philadelphia sex worker and a Pittsburgh gang member. He was moved into and out of foster homes as a young child and was treated for mental health disorders as early as age 4, and he suffered abuse and neglect until he was taken in by the Smyrnes family in North Huntingdon at age 10 according to a testimony by forensic psychologist Alice Applegate.[6] His lawyer, Terri Fayes, told the jury that Smyrnes suffered sexual and physical abuse from his father and his uncle. She also explained how he had undergone 103 therapy sessions by age 10, tried beer, cocaine, heroin and marijuana by age 6 and had been diagnosed with PTSD at age 8. She added he was diagnosed as having as many as seven different personalities and 15 total psychiatric issues. In 1997, he burglarized his neighbors home and stole knives, guitars, coins, bullets and cash. That same year, he sexually assaulted a woman in her basement.[7]

Torture

According to a testimony by Meidinger, the group went through her purse, stole money, gift cards and her cell phone; poured liquids into her bag; hit her on the head with filled soda bottles, cut her hair, painted her face with nail polish and dumped liquid and spices on her head. Meidinger said she and Angela Marinucci took turns violently hitting Daugherty with a metal towel rack and crutches. She also noted that Daugherty was stripped naked, gagged and raped by Knight.[1] They also forced her to consume feces, urine and detergent.[8][9] Meidinger also said Knight took Daugherty to the living room where Marinucci poured a bottle of water over Daugherty's head and Knight and Smyrnes dumped oatmeal and spices on her head. Daugherty said her eyes were burning, and Smyrnes told her to take a shower because she smelled badly.[2]

According to her relatives, Daugherty had the mental abilities of an adolescent, she trusted everyone, and she had thought that the suspects were her "friends".[10]

Murder

Daughertys last words were a note to her mother that said “Mom, I hope you have a good day at work and I love you very much. Love, Jennifer”.[11]

According to his testimony, Masters helped Daugherty retrieve her clothes that Knight and Smyrnes had stripped from her and tossed out a window on the first day of the beatings. Before Daugherty could get her clothes and get out, Knight and Smyrnes returned to the apartment at 428 N. Pennsylvania Ave.[12] As a result, the group voted to kill her. Miller decided to tie her with Christmas lights. They forced her to write a fake suicide note; and then stabbed her to death. Smyrnes gave a steak knife to Knight and stabbed her chest and throat.[13] Her body was put inside a garbage can and dumped in the parking lot of Greensburg-Salem Middle School.[14] Marinucci told police officials that Knight and Meidinger drugged her before stabbing her.[15]

Possible motives

Several witnesses claimed Marinucci planned to kill Daugherty several days before the rest began planning. They testified Marinucci overheard her boyfriend, Smyrnes, calling Daugherty and telling her that he loved her and wanted to marry her.[15] During Smyrnes' testimony, he told jurors about the love triangle between Daugherty, Marinucci, and Smyrnes.[2]

Trial

At the start of the trial on November 3, 2010, the prosecution was seeking the death penalty for Smyrnes, Knight and Meidinger.[16] However, as of August 1, 2019, Knight and Smyrnes are the only convicts on death row.[17]

Testimony

Neighbors and inmates

Several jail inmates testified that Marinucci planned to kill Daugherty several days before her body was discovered. Neighbor Anthony Zappone heard Marinucci say "I'm going to kill that bitch". He was also sentenced to jail for an unrelated burglary charge. Tina Warrick testified Marinucci told her she was disappointed with the type of Christmas garland Miller purchased to tie Daugherty up and dump her body.[12] Floria Headen heard body slamming and screaming on February 12, 2010.[18] Felisha Hardison, who was a cellmate and friend to Marinucci, testified that she was jumping on her bed, excited to be on the news.[19]

Masters and Meidinger reached a plea bargain to testify.

Sentencing

Knight

On April 12, 2012, Knight pleaded guilty to first- and second-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping.[20] On August 30, 2012, a jury deliberated several hours before voting to put Knight to death.[21] In September 2014, Knight appealed his sentence.[22] His trial was delayed several times,[23][24][25] and his sentence was upheld in March, 2019.[26] In November 2020, Knight attempted to appeal his sentence via the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The appeal included statements and claims that jurors acted with passion and prejudice and arbitrarily imposed the death penalty. However, it was unanimously rejected by the judges.[27]

"Following our thorough review of the record in this case, we conclude that appellant’s sentence of death was not the product of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor, but rather was fully supported by the evidence that (Knight) and his co-defendants held the intellectually disabled victim against her will for several days, during which time they continuously subjected her to myriad forms of physical and emotional torture, eventually stabbing her in the chest, slicing her throat (and) strangling her"

— Debra Todd, [28]

Marinucci

On August 3, 2011, Marinucci was formally given a mandatory life sentence without possibility of parole after being found guilty in May of first-degree murder.[29] As she was 17 at the time of the crime, she was ineligible for the death penalty.[29] Angela Marinucci had her life without possibility of parole sentence revoked due to the 2012 and 2016 supreme court rulings Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana.[30][31] However, on July 1, 2015, a jury decided to re-sentence her to her previous sentence. Marinucci refused to answer any questions before she attended.[32]

Meidinger

On December 4, 2013, Amber Christine Meidinger (born 12 January 1990),[3] was sentenced to 40 to 80 years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy.[33] Meidinger filed paperwork in November 2019 with the state's Board of Pardons, seeking early termination of her 40- to 80-year prison sentence.[34]

Amber Meidinger almost received the death penalty until she agreed to testify against the others. Westmoreland County District Attorney dropped his effort of the death penalty. Her defense attorney, Tim Dawson, questioned why she wanted to testify.[1] During the testimony, she admitted she lied about her state of her mental health. Meidinger falsely told police officers she had mental issues.[35]

Miller

Peggy Darlene Miller (born 3rd February 1983),[36][3] was sentenced to 35 to 74 years.[37]

Smyrnes

On February 28, 2013, Smyrnes was sentenced to death. Smyrnes appealed his sentence. In February 2017, a judge upheld his death sentence.[38] His execution was delayed in July 2017.[39]

Masters

Robert Loren Masters Jr. (born 22nd December 1973)[36][3] pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping on December 19, 2013. Masters was sentenced to 30 to 70 years. Masters' attorney, William Gallishen helped Masters reach a plea bargain against the other five. After he agreed, he was moved to another jail for protection because other suspects were being held there. He did not publicly share any information related to the plea bargain.[12]

Incarceration

Robert Loren Masters is currently imprisoned in the State Correctional Institution – Greene, Ricky Ven Smyrnes and Melvin Knight are in the State Correctional Institution - Phoenix, Peggy Darlene Miller and Amber Meidinger are in the State Correctional Institution - Muncy,[34] and Angela Marinucci is imprisoned in the State Correctional Institution - Cambridge Springs.[40]

Legacy

(Former) Allegheny County Coroner Cyril H. Wecht, who has conducted and reviewed thousands of autopsies of homicide victims, stated, "... This is one of the most horrific cases I have seen... You have one young, defenseless woman, six people who are keeping her captive and doing all of these things, knowing she is [mentally challenged]. Put it all together, it is bizarre, it is extreme barbarism."[41]

On April 23, 2012, at a conference, Pennsylvania state senator Kim Ward proposed a legislation law named "Jennifer's Law". The proposal would make it illegal for someone to witness a violent crime and fail to report it to police.[42] Violation to report the crime would be a misdemeanor of the third degree.[43]

"Cruel Intentions" an episode of Frenemies: Loyalty Turned Lethal, is a biopic based on the events.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Cholodofsky, Rich. "Roommate gives jurors gruesome details of 2010 torture-murder in Greensburg". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Hardway, Ashlie (2013-02-08). "'Greensburg 6' co-defendant says victim just wanted love". WTAE-TV. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Inmate/Parolee Locator". Inmate locator. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Jennifer Daugherty's killer hopes plea saves his life". WTAE-TV. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  5. ^ https://archive.triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-torture-killer-marinucci-returns-to-court-seeking-lighter-sentence/
  6. ^ "Psychologist testifies to awful childhood of convicted murderer of Jennifer Daugherty". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  7. ^ Hardway, Ashlie (2013-02-20). "Witnesses testify Ricky Smyrnes stole, vandalized, committed assault as a juvenile". WTAE. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  8. ^ "Graphic Tapes Describe Jennifer Daugherty's Torture Death". Pittsburgh Channel. Pittsburgh. March 5, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  9. ^ 6 held for trial in Greensburg torture, slaying, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 4, 2010
  10. ^ "Pa. family: 'Friends' torture, kill disabled woman". Washington Post. February 13, 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010.
  11. ^ Cholodofsky, Rich (13 November 2018). "Mother tells jurors of note left by her daughter before 2010 Greensburg slaying". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  12. ^ a b c Pierce, Paul. "Daugherty Greensburg torture-killing told in ghastly detail". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  13. ^ Edecio Martinez (February 16, 2010). "Jennifer Daugherty, Mentally Disabled Woman, Trusted Everyone, Including Her Killers". CBS News.
  14. ^ Kotz, Pete (February 19, 2010). "Jennifer Daugherty, Mentally Disabled, was Tortured & Murdered by Her 'Friends'; 6 Arrested". True Crime Report. New York. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  15. ^ a b "/ccpa/". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  16. ^ Rich Cholodofsky (November 3, 2010). "6 to stand trial in Greensburg torture-slaying". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  17. ^ Penalty/Current Execution list.pdf "Persons Sentenced to Execution in Pennsylvania as of August 1, 2019" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. 1 August 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2020. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  18. ^ https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/trial-of-friend-in-torture-slaying-of-mentally-disabled-woman-begins/15/
  19. ^ "Cellmate Testifies That Marinucci Was Excited To Be On TV". WTAE-TV. ABC News. Retrieved 2020-12-08 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "Man pleads guilty in Daugherty killing". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 3, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  21. ^ "Jury Gives Death Penalty in PA Torture Killing". San Francisco Chronicle. August 30, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  22. ^ "'Greensburg Six' killer appeals death-penalty in torture-killing". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  23. ^ "/ccpa/". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  24. ^ "/ccpa/". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  25. ^ "/ccpa/". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Death penalty upheld for 'Greensburg Six' roommate Melvin Knight | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  27. ^ Cholodofsky, Rich (19 November 2020). "Supreme Court upholds death penalty in Greensburg Six torture-murder appeal | TribLIVE.com". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  28. ^ https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/death-penalty-upheld-in-greensburg-torture-murder/
  29. ^ a b "'Greensburg 6' Suspect Formally Sentenced To Life In Prison". CBS Pittsburgh. August 3, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  30. ^ "3rd sentencing hearing postponed for woman convicted in Greensburg torture-murder | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Woman convicted in Greensburg torture case faces 3rd sentencing hearing | TribLIVE.com". Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  32. ^ "Youngest "Greensburg 6" member resenteced". WTAE-TV. ABC News. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  33. ^ http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/3-accomplices-plead-guilty-murder-torture-jennifer/ncBjh/ 4th of 6 convicted in Jennifer Daugherty's torture, death | www.wpxi.com
  34. ^ a b "Woman sentenced in Greensburg torture slaying pleads for clemency | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  35. ^ "Witness to killing testifies she initially lied to the police". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[[. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  36. ^ a b "Trial of "friend" in torture, slaying of mentally disabled woman begins". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  37. ^ "Final 2 sentences close book on 'Greensburg 6' murder". Pittsburgh Action 4 News. May 17, 2014.
  38. ^ "/ccpa/". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  39. ^ "Westmoreland judge issues stay of execution for Smyrnes | TribLIVE.com". Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  40. ^ "Woman convicted in torture-murder scheduled for evaluation". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  41. ^ Sadie Gurman (February 14, 2010). "How slaying victim came to know her attackers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  42. ^ "Legislator proposes 'Jennifer's Law'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  43. ^ Jennifer's Law - proposed legislation by Pennsylvania state senator Kim Ward
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