Pablo Fernando Maldonado — Latino, age 22

Sentenced to death in Newton County, Georgia

By: a jury

Date of crime: June 11, 2009

Prosecution’s case/defense response: Maldonado was convicted of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, concealing the death of another, and forgery. Maldonado killed Timothy Clements (age 55), who he tied up with a telephone cord, placed a grocery bag over his head, and beat him with a metal baseball bat. Authorities said the motive for the murder was money and Maldonado lured Clements to his duplex by claiming there was a water leak. Also arrested in connection with the murder were Christian Caldwell (age 17) and Brittney Beasley (age 18). Maldonado had met Clements in church and Clements took him under his wing by providing him with a job with his company, starting him in a rental home, and helping him purchase two vehicles, the second after he wrecked the first.

Sources: Rockdale Citizen (GA) 9/1/12 (2012 WLNR 18702561), Rockdale Citizen (GA) 9/6/12 (2012 WLNR 19085302), Rockdale Citizen (GA) 8/22/12 (2012 WLNR 17959894).

Rodney Renia Young — black, age 40

Sentenced to death in Newton County, Georgia

By: a jury

Date of crime: March 30, 2008

Prosecution’s case/defense response: Young was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and burglary in connection with the bludgeoning and stabbing death of Gary Lamar Jones (age 28). Young had been romantically involved with the victim’s mother for seven years before she broke up with him to return to Georgia to live with her son. This enraged Young who began sending threatening letters to Jones’ residence before the attack. Jones’ mother was absent during the attack and found her son dead when she returned home. Defense attorneys maintained that Young is mentally retarded and lacked the sophistication and planning to plan the murder. Young’s daughter also testified on his behalf.

Sources: South Jersey Times 1/16/12 (http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2012/01/bridgeton_mans_murder_trial_sl.html), Rockdale Citizen (GA) 2/21/12 (2012 WLNR 3827536).