PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island man who faces a death sentence if he's convicted of killing a Woonsocket gas station manager is set to ask a federal judge to take the death penalty off the table.
Jason Pleau is charged with killing David Main in 2010. Prosecutors say Main was headed to make his station's daily bank deposit when Pleau approached him with a gun, told Main to give him the money and then fired several times as Main ran for the bank's door.
Pleau's lawyers are expected to make several arguments Wednesday before U.S. District Judge William Smith, including that the death penalty is unconstitutional.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee tried to keep Pleau out of federal custody, citing the state's rejection of capital punishment, but the U.S. Supreme Court turned down his appeal.