FILE - This June 3, 2010 file photo shows Steven DeMocker during the opening statements in his trial for the murder of his former wife Carole Kennedy in Prescott, Ariz. Prosecutors convinced a jury that DeMocker was guilty using circumstantial evidence, arguing his motive was to avoid $6,000 in monthly alimony payments shortly after the couple’s divorce settlement and cash in on a $750,000 life insurance policy. (AP Photo/Les Stukenberg, Pool, file)
January 08, 2014 - 11:22 PM
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - A Prescott stockbroker convicted of bludgeoning his ex-wife to death could soon face sentencing after a judge denied a request for a new trial.
Attorneys for 60-year-old Steven DeMocker argued Wednesday that jurors based their decision to convict him on first-degree murder and six other charges in the 2008 death of Carol Kennedy without sufficient evidence. The case was based on circumstantial evidence.
Prosecutors had no confession, eyewitnesses, blood, hair, fibers or other DNA linking DeMocker to the crime.
Visiting Judge Gary Donahoe denied the bid for a new trial as well as requests to disqualify the county attorney's office and acquit DeMocker of the charges.
Mocker was scheduled to be sentenced in November, but Donahoe granted a continuance after defence attorneys alleged that DeMocker was improperly interviewed by the jail commander. Prosecutors said that conversation did not influence the jury's verdicts.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014