Delay OK'd on seeking death penalty

PROVO — Prosecutors will have another two months to decide if they'll seek the death penalty for David Ragsdale in his capital murder case.

Ragsdale appeared before Judge Claudia Laycock in 4th District Court on Wednesday after the prosecution filed a stipulation Friday to extend the time period in which it would give notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

The stipulation was granted by Laycock and a date for a pretrial conference was set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Both prosecution and defense also agreed to strike a hearing set for Aug. 6.

Ragsdale was charged with aggravated murder after police said he fatally shot his wife, Kristy Ragsdale, numerous times in the parking lot of a Lehi LDS church on Jan. 6. On July 9, Ragsdale fired his defense attorney in the case, Greg Skordas, and was given a court-appointed attorney. Ragsdale's sister, Tamara Ragsdale, said her brother's actions on Jan. 6 were influenced by prescription drugs.

Police said Ragsdale pulled into the church parking lot in his car, on his wife's 30th birthday, and shot her 12 times with a handgun. A number of churchgoers either heard or saw the shooting, as well as some children — which led to two charges for domestic violence in the presence of children.

After the shooting, witnesses said Ragsdale left the parking lot in his car. He later turned himself in to Lehi police through his brother.

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