KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Execution? Or, life in prison with no hope of ever getting out?
The question of potential punishment for three Knoxville men accused in the brutal April attack and murder of a woman at a South Knoxville home remained unclear Friday as the defendants appeared in court.
The state is still mulling its evidence, with more to come, attorneys said. The family of victim Danishka Melina Sibaja Mejía also can weigh in on whether they'd like a jury to consider voting for death or life without parole if Latawyne Osborne, Marquis Ellis and Edward Wilson are convicted at trial.
If the state wants to seek what's called "enhanced" punishment against any of the men it has to file formal notice. Osborne, Ellis and Wilson are all accused of first-degree murder and aggravated rape in addition to several other charges in the case.
Without such a notice, they'd face decades in prison if convicted at trial but still might have a chance to get out.
They appeared briefly Friday in Knox County Criminal Court before Judge Steve Sword. The judge set the case for another hearing Aug. 27.
Authorities think Osborne was the ringleader in Mejia's killing. Records state he raped Mejia in early April, which she then reported to the Knoxville Police Department, records state.
According to the Knoxville Police Department, a fourth person, Angela Greenberg, is accused of being an accessory in the crime. She is facing charges for tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact. Police said Greenberg is Osborne's mother.
Mejia's family attended Friday's hearing, their first chance to see the defendants.
Recent court filings indicate some of the evidence the state has gathered so far.
They include data from the cellphones of Osborne and Mejia and other witnesses.
The state also is monitoring Osborne's phone conversations from jail. He "has made and continues to make" recorded statements while in jail, records state.
Veteran defense attorney Josh Hedrick represents Osborne right now. If the state files notice, a second attorney would join him to help represent the defendant.
