Greensburg woman convicted in torture death to get another psych evaluation

Nearly a decade after Angela Marinucci and five other Greensburg roommates were arrested and charged with the torture slaying of a mentally challenged woman, Westmoreland County taxpayers continue to pay their legal bills.

Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway this week approved the payment of another $1,150 to a private psychiatrist to evaluate Marinucci ahead of a court appearance next month when she will be resentenced for a third time.

Marinucci’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17.

Marinucci is one of six defendants convicted of murder in connection with the February 2010 killing of 30-year-old Jennifer Daugherty, who was held captive for more than two days during which she was beaten, tortured and stabbed to death.

Marinucci, now 27, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Twice, Pennsylvania appeals courts overturned that sentence, saying juveniles cannot be sentenced to life without parole unless a judge determines they are unable to be rehabilitated. Marinucci was 17 at the time of her arrest.

Westmoreland County court officials on Friday were not able to determine how much public money has been spent to pay for Marinucci’s court-appointed lawyers and experts hired to assist her defense. Earlier this year, Hathaway authorized defense lawyer Michael DeMatt to hire a psychiatrist for up to $5,000.