USA - Ohio. Judge Beth Myers overturned the death sentence of David Steffen

A Hamilton County judge, Common Pleas Court Judge Beth Myers ruled today that David Steffen, will get a 2nd jury to determine if he should be sent to Ohio's death row. Steffen, now 49, white, was a door-to-door soap salesman in August 1982 when he knocked on the door of the Range family. Karen Range, 18, answered the door. Steffen killed her, slitting her throat. He told police at the time in a taped statement that he also tried to rape the teen but couldn't get an erection. Steffen's guilt isn't in question. Judge Myers' ruling revolves around the terms attempted rape and rape. She decided Steffen should receive a new trial – only for the punishment phase – because Steffen was convicted of rape instead of attempted rape in addition to his convictions for aggravated murder and aggravated burglary in the same case. While he admitted to the killing, Steffen has always maintained his innocence in regards to the rape. DNA tests later showed that he was not lying and he was not a match for the fluids found inside her body. A person has been charged with the sexual assault. Turns out it was morgue assistant, Kenneth Douglas, who worked at the Hamilton County morgue where Range’s body was taken to. Kenneth Douglas has pleaded no contest and has been found guilty of abuse of a corpse. He was sentenced to three years on Sept. 30, 2008.