Mitchell Sentenced To Death Penalty

Friday, December 7th 2007, 11:06 am

By: News On 6

A Green Country family says it has received justice some 16 years after the death of 21-year-old Elaine Scott. On Thursday, a jury returned a death penalty verdict for a man convicted of killing the University of Oklahoma student from Tulsa. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports that it's the third time convicted killer Alfred Mitchell has received the death sentence.

After two appeals, three trials, and nearly 17 years, Elaine Scottâ€™s family finally can find some closure. The jury deliberated for more than eight hours before handing down the death penalty for Alfred Mitchell. Mitchell was first convicted and sentenced to die for brutally bludgeoning 21-year-old Elaine Scott to death with a wooden coat rack in 1992.

That sentence was overturned because a forensic expert lied on the stand. Mitchell was tried and convicted again in 2002, and that death sentence was also overturned.

The Scotts have suffered through three trials, reliving the gruesome details of their daughter's murder. They were pleased with the decision, but they say this is not true justice for their daughter.

â€œJustice for my daughter would be for her to be alive,â€ said Bruce Scott, the victimâ€™s father. â€œSo justice in the sense that justice has been served for her death, yes. But justice for my daughter would be that she never die.â€

Mitchell's attorney told the jury they should spare her client's life, because he grew up in an abusive home and he's stayed out of trouble the entire time he's been in prison.

Despite those arguments, the jury sentenced him to death, and there is no talk of any further appeals on Mitchell's behalf.

Watch the video: Mitchell Receives Third Death Sentence

See related story: Family Seeking Death Penalty In Daughter's Murder