Myron Britt sentenced to life without parole in murder of wife

After killing his wife, all that was left for a Roberson County, NC jury to decide, according to his lawyer, was how Myron Britt would die in jail - by the hands of the state through lethal injection, or by the hands of God (or another inmate). After 40 minutes of deliberation, the jury chose the latter option yesterday, July 30.

Nancy Britt was murdered at her childhood home in August 2003 while caring for a disabled sister. The murder, according to prosecutors, was a way for Britt to pay off a growing pile of debt by cashing in of his wife's $800,000 insurance policy.

[Robeson County District Attorney]Johnson Britt said Myron Britt killed his wife to maintain a particular lifestyle and keep up appearances.

The jury was told it would have to determine whether the aggravating factor outweighed the 11 mitigating circumstances the defense would present, Johnson Britt said. Aggravating factors favor imposing the death penalty. Mitigating factors favor a life sentence.

"I am not going to stand up here and tell you there is no value of a father-son relationship, that there is no value in a father-daughter relationship or that there is no value in a son-mother relationship,'' Johnson Britt said. "What I am going to tell you is that the 11 pale in comparison for the reason Nancy Britt was murdered.''

Myron Britt's grown children - 22-year-old Lauren and 29-year-old Brandon - told jurors Wednesday they have a strong relationship with their father and still rely on him for advice.

Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks allowed Myron Britt time to address the courtroom after he passed sentence of life without parole. Britt thanked his supporters, but also told the jury he forgave them for "wrongfully convicting" him. He also said that the life without parole sentence was a sentence on his children as well as himself.

Jim Parrish and Sue Berry, Myron Britt's attorneys, stated that the mitigating families justify nothing; they prove that he still has value to his family, friends, and faith community, and that the jury will spare his life if there's still value.

Miami hospital worker accused of groping patient

Pedro Gonzalez, a 27 year old hospital worker, has been charged with sexual battery for allegedly groping a 31 year old patient. He's being held at a Miami-Dade County jail and it isn't clear if he has an attorney.

Gonzalez transports patients at Mount Sinai Medical Center. According to a police report obtained by The Miami Herald, he confessed to performing a sex act on a male patient waking up from anesthesia after surgery last month.

The 31 year old victim was aware of the act and told detectives he could identify his attacker. Hopsital spokepeople said that they hve worked closely with police and will continue to do so until a proper resolution is achieved.

Hospital worker sentenced in sexual touching of patient

Linus Schaub, a former employee of the VA hospital in Tomah, WI, was sentenced to 90 days in jail and put on probation for touching a male patirnt where he worked in a sexual manner. A femal coworker caught him in the act.

A Monroe County Judge said because Schaub is in therapy and does not have a prior criminal history he would delay Schaub's sentence for two years, and put him on probation. That probation does include 90 days of jailtime, and he must register as a sex offender. Schaub faced a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

Alleged rapist at mental hospital strikes again

Jesse Vasquez, charged with raping a female patient in Eastern State Hospital, has been charged with a second assault.

On March 10th a patient at the hospital told detectives that she had been sexually assaulted by another patient inside a bathroom there. Investigators completed a rape examination at Deaconess Hospital and will now be comparing that evidence to the male suspect.

State police state that there are no barriers which separate the male and female wards of the hospital.