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Dieteman jury given an awesome power
“Ladies and gentlemen, in a short while our government is going to give you an awesome power; the power to kill someone.” Defense attorney Maria Schaffer addressed the seven-man, six-woman jury for a final time Tuesday afternoon. The jury now begins deliberations to determine if convicted “Serial Shooter” Samuel Dieteman will receive a life sentence or the death penalty.
Prosecutor Vincent Imbordino opened the afternoon session reminding jurors, “We are not here because Sam Dieteman had some trouble in his life. We are here because of the choices he made.” Imbordino added, “While we can shed a tear for Sam Dieteman, we can shed a lot more tears for Claudia Gutierrez-Cruz and Robin Blasnik, his victims.”
As prosecutor Laura Reckert and Phoenix police case detective Clark Schwartzkopf listened, Imbordino carefully took the jurors through descriptions and examples pertaining to mitigating circumstances surrounding the case, specifically the fact that Dieteman testified for the prosecution during the murder trial of Dale Hausner. Hausner was given six death sentences for his part in the 14-month stretch of violence that terrorized citizens across the valley. Imbordino closed by saying, “The decision you have to make is should you spare his [Dieteman’s] life.”
Having the final say, defense attorney, Maria Schaffer, gathered her notes and approached the jury. Samuel Dieteman sat calmly and unemotionally at the defense table next to attorney Quinn Jolly. Schaffer took her time before saying, “I have wracked my brain searching for the words to guide your decision. Sam Dieteman is not asking for leniency, but I am—on his behalf. I am asking that you consider the whole man, not just the man who committed those crimes in 2006.” She reminded jurors that this trial is about the penalty phase … “the issue becomes why you should spare my client’s life.”
Choking back tears, Shaffer stepped away from the podium and recited the first verse of the well-known hymn, Amazing Grace. “I beg you to show Sam mercy and grace … save the wretch he became.”
Judge Roland Steinle, seated beneath the Great Seal of the State of Arizona, closed the day’s proceedings after the selection of an alternate juror. He gave final instructions to the now 12-person jury and dismissed them to begin their deliberations. Inside the Seal are the words, “Ditat Deus” (God Enriches); a powerful message for decisions in matters of life and death.