Prosecutors won't seek death penalty in Norwood trial
Mark Alan Norwood
GEORGETOWN, Texas (AP) _ Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for a Central Texas man charged in a slaying that wrongly sent the victim's spouse to prison for nearly 25 years.
Mark Alan Norwood is charged with capital murder in the 1986 death of Christine Morton. Christine Morton's husband, Michael Morton, was sentenced to life in prison for the fatal beating before DNA evidence cleared him. Michael Morton went free last year.
The Austin American-Statesman reports a special prosecutor on Wednesday filed a motion waiving the death penalty. The motion says Michael Morton and other surviving relatives say they don't wish to seek execution for Norwood.
Norwood's trial is scheduled for Jan. 7 in San Angelo. The case has drawn national attention.
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