Northpinellas: Man could get death penalty in slaying

Man could get death penalty in slaying

Prosecutors say there are aggravating factors in an elderly woman's death that have convinced them to seek the death penalty against her neighbor.

By CHRIS TISCH

Prosecutors say there are aggravating factors in an elderly woman's death that have convinced them to seek the death penalty against her neighbor.

DUNEDIN -- Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against a man they suspect of murdering his elderly next-door neighbor, setting fire to her home and then proclaiming he heroically tried to save her.

Jenouch Pasco, 22, son of a Pentecostal preacher, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of arson in the Aug. 31 slaying of Elizabeth Robie, his 69-year-old neighbor.

Bruce Bartlett, chief assistant to State Attorney Bernie McCabe, said there are aggravating factors in the case that persuaded prosecutors to seek the death penalty. He would not discuss those factors in detail.

"In looking at the circumstances surrounding the murder, there are factors that exist that make Mr. McCabe think this would be an appropriate case to have the jury evaluate whether the death penalty is warranted," Bartlett said.

Pasco's mother, Dorothy, did not know about the plan to seek the death penalty until contacted Monday afternoon by a reporter.

"I don't want to talk about it," she said.

Pinellas sheriff's investigators said Pasco broke into Robie's home on the night of Aug. 31 and demanded money for crack cocaine. Pasco and Robie struggled, and he stabbed her several times, investigators said.

Pasco then tried to cover up the homicide by setting fire to Robie's home and car, detectives said.

Pasco initially claimed he went into Robie's home to try to save her from the fire. But when he was interviewed five days after the slaying, he made incriminating statements, sheriff's officials said.

Neighbor John Wolf, who suspected Pasco of the killing from the beginning, was pleased to hear the death penalty would be sought.

"I do believe in an eye for an eye," he said. "I don't care what type of habit he had; she didn't deserve that. She was the sweetest lady. She was like a grandmother to me. She is sorely missed already."

Wolf said he remembers that on the day of the murder, Pasco was telling television news crews that he also believed in an eye for an eye.

"I want to see him pay," Wolf said. "That doesn't bring Betty back, but that's the way I feel."

Wolf said Robie has a son and daughter who live out of state. They could not be reached for comment Monday.