USA - Pennsylvania. Judge John Leete has overturned the death sentence of Daniel Crispell

Potter County Senior Judge John Leete has overturned the death sentence of Daniel Crispell, 43, White, because of ineffective counsel during the trial. Judge Leete ruled that Crispell’s counsel failed to investigate their client’s mental health and medical records. On Oct. 26, 1989, Crispell, then 18, and Christopher Weatherhill, then 17, kidnapped Ella Brown at knifepoint in a parking lot. The two then drove her car to a deserted area, took her cash and jewelry and stabbed her to death before fleeing in her vehicle. Her body was found the next day. Weatherill testified against Crispell in exchange for a sentence of life imprisonment. Crispell was sentenced to death in Clearfield County on August 23, 1990.