A jury has decided to spare Daphne Wright's life and sentenced her to life in prison for the murder of Darlene VanderGiesen. Argus Leader excerpt:
Daphne Wright was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
After nine hours of deliberations, jurors announced their decision around 8:30 p.m. They were unanimous in opting to spare Wright from death by injection.Wright wiped tears from her eyes, even as she turned toward her mother and smiled slightly.
Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Dave Nelson was then given permission to read a statement written by Dee VanderGiesen, the mother of slaying victim Darlene VanderGiesen:
“Daphne, there are no words to describe the hurt you have brought to our lives. The pain is deeper than anything we could ever describe. Yet we no longer feel the anger and vengeful thoughts that were first in our thoughts. The Lord has reached down in his grace and mercy … and brought us to a place where we can forgive you … "
The statement concluded with this final message to Wright:
"We want you to know that we pray for you every day asking that God may touch your heart, that you may come to know his love … ”
Had she been sentenced to death, she would have become the first woman on South Dakota's death row.
In closing arguments this morning, Nelson reminded jurors of the physical evidence that persuaded him to seek death: the victim’s burned upper body, the plastic bag over her head, cutting wounds on her feet and that she was found in four pieces.
The jury had to decide unanimously that Wright’s mind was depraved at the time of the crime before even considering whether death is appropriate.
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