Court denies appeal of death sentences

<br>McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the convictions and death sentences for a Poteau man convicted of stabbing to death a wealthy LeFlore County businessman and

Friday, April 23rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the convictions and death sentences for a Poteau man convicted of stabbing to death a wealthy LeFlore County businessman and his wife.

The court on Thursday issued a decision upholding two death sentences for James Lewis DeRosa, who was convicted of killing Curtis Plummer, 73, and Gloria Plummer, 70, in 2000.

Prosecutors have said DeRosa, who formerly worked at the Plummers' ranch, and John Eric Castleberry slashed the Plummers' throats and stole about $70.

DeRosa and Castleberry planned the robbery while driving back from Fort Smith, Ark., according to court documents. They were arrested at Castleberry's father's house in Corpus Christi, Texas, the day after the killings.

Castleberry, who pleaded guilty to two charges of first-degree murder and testified against DeRosa, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at the Great Plains Correctional Facility in Hinton.