Man Testifies in Bid to Avoid Death Penalty

In a last-ditch move to save his life, convicted killer Michael Dally took the witness stand Monday at the penalty phase of his trial--wiping tears from his eyes and denying any involvement in the 1996 slaying of his wife, Sherri.

“I had nothing to do with the kidnapping, the murder,” Dally said somberly, staring at the jury charged with deciding his punishment. “I happen to love my wife very deeply.”

The decision to testify opened the 37-year-old defendant up to questioning by the prosecution. For nearly four hours, Deputy Dist. Atty Lela Henke-Dobroth challenged Dally with questions suggesting that he is a liar who hated his wife.

Henke-Dobroth focused on Dally’s adulterous relationship with co-conspirator Diana Haun, who was found guilty six months ago of fatally stabbing Sherri Dally and dumping her body in a ravine. Haun was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

“What were you thinking about, Mr. Dally, when you were having sex with Diana Haun less than 24 hours after she killed your wife?” Henke-Dobroth asked.

“I don’t know,” Dally replied. “I was in love with two women at the same time. I didn’t think one would hurt the other.”

As the afternoon wore on, Dally began to contradict himself and refused to directly answer the prosecutor’s questions. At one point, he denied writing a letter to Haun while they were both in jail, then later admitted that he had.

Dally also denied calling his wife obscene names, having sex with prostitutes and telling a former girlfriend he wanted Sherri killed, all of which were attested to by witnesses during his trial.

The defendant did acknowledge giving Haun a knife before his wife was stabbed to death.

“I despise Diana Haun now that I know she murdered my wife,” Dally said. “Nobody could ever take Sherri’s place.”

Dally was convicted April 6 of murder and kidnapping.