Death penalty won’t be sought in McGowan killing

The Charlottesville commonwealth attorney’s office will not seek the death penalty for a city man charged in connection with the slaying of Jayne Warren McGowan.

Michael Stuart Pritchett, 19, was indicted last year on a charge of capital murder and other counts in connection with McGowan’s death.

During discussion about motions related to the case on Thursday in Albemarle County Circuit Court, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Claude Worrell acknowledged that his office is not asking for death as a possible punishment if Pritchett is convicted. Worrell said in court that the only other sentence for someone convicted of capital murder would be life in prison.

Authorities have said Pritchett and co-defendant William Douglas Gentry Jr. went to McGowan’s St. Clair Avenue home, where they shot her repeatedly and stole items from her. Co-workers found her body Nov. 9, 2007.

Gentry pleaded guilty in December to capital murder, entering a home with the intent to commit a serious felony, robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a burglary and use of a firearm in the commission of a murder as part of a plea agreement. Under the agreement, city prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. The commonwealth’s attorney’s office previously said it would seek the death penalty for Gentry if he were convicted.

Pritchett is scheduled to have a five-day jury trial in June in Charlottesville Circuit Court.