Opinion ID: 77358
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: October Status Conferences

Text: 9 From the start, this case was considered a potential death penalty case. At a status conference on October 8, 2004, the government stated that it might seek the death penalty in a forthcoming superseding indictment. The magistrate judge suggested that a continuance of the November 1 trial date was probably necessary. On October 15, 2004, Wilk moved to continue the November 1 trial, citing outstanding discovery issues and the possibility that Wilk would be charged with a capital offense. On October 20, 2004, the district court granted Wilk's motion and continued the trial until December 13, 2004. 10 Also on October 20, 2004, and on the ex parte request of Wilk's counsel, the magistrate judge appointed William Matthewman, who is qualified to handle death penalty cases, as Wilk's second counsel pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3005 and due to the probability of this becoming a capital case. Additionally, the district court granted funds for an investigative firm and mitigation specialist so that Wilk could prepare for a death penalty trial. 4 11 On October 21, 2004, the grand jury returned a six-count superseding indictment against only Wilk charging him with the same possession of child pornography and witness and evidence tampering offenses in the prior indictment and adding counts for: (1) the malice murder of Fatta, while he was assisting a federal officer engaged in official duties, designated as a capital count; (2) the attempted murder of Cedeno; (3) the use of a firearm during the murder and attempted murder, designated as a capital count; and (4) obstruction of justice in connection with Jones's prosecution. 5 The superseding indictment also referenced 18 U.S.C. §§ 3591(a)(2)(A)-(D) and 3592(c), which set out the statutory aggravating factors required to impose the death penalty, and then listed the charged statutory aggravating factors in this case as: (1) Wilk was over the age of eighteen; (2) Wilk intentionally killed Fatta; (3) Wilk knowingly created a grave risk of death to one or more persons in addition to Fatta; (4) Wilk committed the murder after substantial planning and premeditation; and (5) Wilk intentionally killed or attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode. On October 28, 2004, Wilk was arraigned on the superseding indictment.