Ricky Javon Gray– black, age 28

Sentenced to death in Richmond, Virginia

By: A jury

Date of crime: Jan.1, 2006

Prosecution’s case/defense response: Gray, along with his nephew, was convicted of killing a family of four by slashing their throats and setting their house on fire.  Gray received life sentences for the murders of Bryan and Kathryn Harvey.  The killing of 9-year-old Stella and 4-year-old Ruby resulted in Gray receiving a death sentence.  Gray also confessed to being an accomplice to the suffocation murders of three people just a week prior to this crime, but he was not charged.  On that same day, Gray admitted he beat his wife to death while his nephew held her down.  As part of a plea, the nephew received a life sentence.

Prosecutor(s): Michael Herring Defense lawyer(s): Jeffrey Everhart

Sources: Associated Press 10/23/06 (Westlaw); Daily Press 10/24/06 (2006 WLNR 18463814); Post-Gazette (2006 WLNR 18431579); Virginia Pilot & Ledger-Star 10/24/06 (2006 WLNR 18564780)

Ivan Teleguz– white, age 22

Sentenced to death in Rockingham County, Virginia

By: A judge, after a recommendation of death by a jury

Date of crime: July 22, 2001

Prosecution’s case/defense response: Teleguz, who had ties to the Russian mafia, ordered a hit on his former girlfriend, Stephanie Sipe, because he did not want to pay child support.  Sipes and Teleguz’s two-year-old son was in the house during the murder and alone with his mother’s body for over 36 hours before being discovered.  The actual killer took a plea of life in prison and testified against Teleguz.

Prosecutor(s): Marsha Garst Defense lawyer(s): John Hart, Paul Maslakowski

Sources: Daily-News Record 2/8/06, 2/10/06