Pike county murder conviction upheld

Posted 8/21/12

NORTHEAST, PA — The Pennsylvania Superior Court has upheld the conviction and life sentence without parole of Joseph Atwell for his involvement in the 2007 kidnapping and murder of Norman Domenech, …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Pike county murder conviction upheld

Posted

NORTHEAST, PA — The Pennsylvania Superior Court has upheld the conviction and life sentence without parole of Joseph Atwell for his involvement in the 2007 kidnapping and murder of Norman Domenech, of Harrisburg. Atwell was pursuing a Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) petition in the Superior Court claiming that due to errors by his trial counsel he is entitled to a new trial.

After reviewing briefs by the Office of the District Attorney and the defendant, the case record and the opinion of the court, the Superior Court affirmed the decision of the Pike County Court of Common Pleas denying and dismissing Atwell’s request for post-conviction relief. The Superior Court concluded that the issues raised by Atwell had no merit.

In late May 2007, Domenech was selling drugs for Atwell, and Atwell believed Domenech had stolen from him. Prosecutors said in the 2010 trial that Atwell and co-conspirator Jesus Rosario-Torres lured Domenech into a remote area and shot him dead. Hunters later discovered his body.

Pike County District Attorney Raymond Tonkin said that Superior Court decision confirmed that Atwell received a fair trial and a strategic defense. Tonkin stated that even after a jury reaches a verdict, his office continues to work diligently in the appellate courts seeking to uphold convictions and sentences of violent offenders like Atwell.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here