Prosecutors Wrap Up Thornton Case

After nearly five weeks of testimony, prosecutors Wednesday wrapped up their murder case against Mark Scott Thornton, the 20-year-old Thousand Oaks man accused of slaying Westlake nurse Kellie O’Sullivan.

UC San Francisco psychology professor Chris Hatcher was the state’s final witness, testifying in Ventura County Superior Court that young kidnap victims generally have a tough time coping during abductions.

Prosecutors considered the testimony important because defense attorneys have tried to discredit a former Thousand Oaks teen-ager who testified that she was kidnaped at gunpoint by Thornton.

That incident occurred hours after Thornton had abducted and murdered the 33-year-old nurse Sept. 14, 1993, prosecutors claim. O’Sullivan was shot to death at a remote location in the Santa Monica Mountains during a carjacking, they say.

Thornton faces a possible death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder, but he is also charged with 13 other crimes, including the alleged kidnaping of 17-year-old Stephanie Campbell.

The girl testified that Thornton used O’Sullivan’s truck to take her by force on a five-day sojourn to Northern California and Reno, where he was finally arrested. Campbell said he threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.

The defense, however, has contended that Thornton was in love with Campbell and offered to let her leave. She was free to go at any time, Thornton attorneys have said.

Hatcher, not testifying directly about Campbell, said young kidnap victims often do not know how to handle themselves during abductions and will not necessarily seek opportunities to escape out of fear. “Certainly age does make a difference,” he said.

During their case, which began Nov. 1, prosecutors called more than 60 witnesses. The defense, which will begin its case today, is expected to call 20 witnesses over the next week.