Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Stanko trial sorts out jury

CONWAY -- Opening statements in the death penalty trial for convicted killer Stephen Stanko could begin Thursday if jury selection stays on track in the case involving the shooting death of a 74-year-old Conway man in 2005.

Out of 25 potential jurors questioned Tuesday, seven were qualified to join a panel of about 40 people from which 12 jurors and four alternates will be chosen, according to court officials. On Monday, 15 people from 25 were qualified as potential jurors.

Attorneys spent the day questioning potential jurors about their beliefs regarding the death penalty and what, if any, prior knowledge they have about the case, which captured national headlines in 2005. Stanko is charged with murder and armed robbery related to the shooting of Henry Lee Turner, who was found in his home dead from a gunshot wound the day after authorities discovered the brutal slaying of Stanko's girlfriend, Laura Ling, and the sexual assault of her daughter.

Turner had met Stanko through Ling, who was a reference librarian at the Horry County Library in Socastee.

In August 2006, a Georgetown County jury found Stanko guilty of two counts of kidnapping, and one count each of assault and battery with intent to kill, armed robbery, murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ling's death and the sexual assault of the teen. He was sentenced to die, but has been going through the appeals process. An execution date has not been set.

On Nov. 4, Circuit Court Judge Steven John, who will preside over Stanko's trial, ruled the 42-year-old competent to stand trial. Stanko has been held on death row in Ridgeville but has been returned to Horry County.

Myrtle Beach attorney Bill Diggs and Conway attorney Brana Williams will represent Stanko. Diggs was also Stanko's lawyer in 2006.