For killing a grandmother and her granddaughter.
By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: Raghunandan Yandamuri, 28, the murderer of a 10-month-old infant, Saanvi Venna, and her grandmother, Satyarthi Venna, 61, two years ago in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, during a brutal robbery and kidnapping attempt, was sentenced to death by the judge.
The jury had earlier convicted Yandamuri of two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of Satyavathi Venna,61, who was visiting from India to take care of her granddaughter, and the kidnapping and killing of her 10-month-old granddaughter Saanvi Venna.
The jury after two days of deliberations on the sentencing phase had the option of either delivering a death penalty verdict or life in prison without parole. They gave the death penalty to Yandamuri, to give closure to the family of the Vennas, who were close family friends of the murderer and lived in the same apartment complex as he did.
Investigators say Yandamuri was a neighbor and friend of the Venna family and carried out a kidnapping of the baby to try and get $50,000 ransom to pay off a gambling debt. Prosecutors call this a just verdict by jurors. The victims family wasn’t there for the sentencing after sitting through most of the trial, reported Fox.
“If he had expressed remorse we would have had a better chance of saving his life but that wasn’t his strategy and here we are,” said Defense Attorney Henry Hilles.
He says he’s disappointed but not surprised that a jury late Tuesday night sentenced Yandamuri to death.
“We hope that it can bring a little closure for the Venna family. It’s been a difficult two years for them. They lost their mother and their 10-month-old daughter. It was heart wrenching to hear what they’ve gone through,” said Prosecutor Kevin Steele.
Formal sentencing will take place in 45 days. Defense Attorneys say there will be an appeal, said Fox.
1 Comment
Shoot him, Hang Him Just kill him ASAP