Jacques' lawyers continue to fight death sentence

Michael Jacques

Burlington, Vermont - May 11, 2010

Lawyers for the man accused of raping and killing 12-year-old Brooke Bennett have taken another step to fight a possible death sentence.

Michael Jacques' lawyers have filed a motion saying if U.S. prosecutors are allowed to continue their case against Jacques then every kidnapping case in their country could potentially become a federal crime. They're also saying the death penalty is unconstitutional because Jacques allegedly used electronic means in the reported kidnapping, which his lawyers say didn't cross state lines, a requirement for a federal case. Lawyers also asked to move the trial from federal court back to state court, which takes the death penalty out of play.

Prosecutors have until Monday to file their opposition.

WCAX News

Click here for complete coverage of the Brooke Bennett case.

Local NewsMore>>
Vt. man drowns off Florida Keys
Vt. man drowns off Florida Keys
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:45:46 GMT
Sheriffs say a body found floating in the waters off the Florida Keys is that of a Vermonter. The Monroe County Sheriff's office says early Sunday morning, two people fishing off a bridge reported seeingMore >>
Sheriffs say a body found floating in the waters off the Florida Keys is that of a Vermonter.More >>
Prison death case before Vt. Supreme Court
Prison death case before Vt. Supreme Court
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:02:47 GMT
Lawyers have argued before the Vermont Supreme Court over who should pay for the legal defense against any claims made in the 2009 death of a woman who was denied medication in jail.More >>
Lawyers have argued before the Vermont Supreme Court over who should pay for the legal defense against any claims made in the 2009 death of a woman who was denied medication in jail.More >>
Vt. Abenaki chief lawsuit on hold
Vt. Abenaki chief lawsuit on hold
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:35 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:35:23 GMT
A lawsuit filed by the former leader of an Indian tribe in Vermont is on hold until her pending criminal case is resolved.More >>
A lawsuit filed by the former leader of an Indian tribe in Vermont is on hold until her pending criminal case is resolved.More >>
Police from Vt. and Quebec to practice cooperation
Police from Vt. and Quebec to practice cooperation
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:09 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:09:11 GMT
Vermont State Police troopers and their counterparts from the Surete du Quebec are holding a two-day exercise to work on cross-border law enforcement.More >>
Vermont State Police troopers and their counterparts from the Surete du Quebec are holding a two-day exercise to work on cross-border law enforcement.More >>
U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Vt. search warrant case
U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Vt. search warrant case
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:21 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:21:11 GMT
The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a Vermont case about limiting search warrants in an attempt to protect privacy. The Chittenden County prosecutor's office and the Vermont attorney general appealedMore >>
The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a Vermont case about limiting search warrants in an attempt to protect privacy.More >>
Vt. homeowners get foreclosure relief
Vt. homeowners get foreclosure relief
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:05:16 GMT
Vermont's attorney general says Vermont homeowners have gotten $14.7 million in foreclosure relief benefits as part of a state-federal settlement with the country's five largest mortgages servicers.More >>
Vermont's attorney general says Vermont homeowners have gotten $14.7 million in foreclosure relief benefits as part of a state-federal settlement with the country's five largest mortgages servicers.More >>
Union files charges of unfair labor practices
Union files charges of unfair labor practices
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:21 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:21:38 GMT
Charges of unfair labor practices by a union representing federal employees in Vermont. United Electrical Workers represents more than 350 employees at U.S. Customs and Immigration Services in St. Albans andMore >>
Charges of unfair labor practices by a union representing federal employees in Vermont.More >>
Vt. secretary of state opens judicial records
Vt. secretary of state opens judicial records
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:07:24 GMT
The Vermont secretary of state's office says 150 years of judicial records from Caledonia County are now available for use by researchers.More >>
The Vermont secretary of state's office says 150 years of judicial records from Caledonia County are now available for use by researchers.More >>

Jacques' lawyers continue to fight death sentence - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Jacques' lawyers continue to fight death sentence

Local NewsMore>>

Vt. man drowns off Florida Keys

Vt. man drowns off Florida Keys

Prison death case before Vt. Supreme Court

Prison death case before Vt. Supreme Court

Vt. Abenaki chief lawsuit on hold

Vt. Abenaki chief lawsuit on hold

Police from Vt. and Quebec to practice cooperation

Police from Vt. and Quebec to practice cooperation

U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Vt. search warrant case

U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Vt. search warrant case

Vt. homeowners get foreclosure relief

Vt. homeowners get foreclosure relief

Union files charges of unfair labor practices

Union files charges of unfair labor practices

Vt. secretary of state opens judicial records

Vt. secretary of state opens judicial records

News

Weather

Featured

Quick Links

WCAX-TV