Death Penalty to Be Sought in Actress’ Murder
Prosecutors said Thursday they will seek the death penalty for an obsessed fan accused of murdering actress Rebecca Schaeffer--unless the defense can give them a good reason not to.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Marcia Clark said documentation of Robert Bardo’s reported history of mental illness might persuade them to seek a life sentence.
Bardo, 20, of Tucson, allegedly stalked Schaeffer before shooting her at the door of her Fairfax district apartment last July.
Deputy Public Defender Stephen Galindo said his client is receiving medication and may plead not guilty by reason of insanity. A psychiatric examination of Bardo was ordered by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Connor.
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