The question of whether Xerox Credit Union suspect Richard Wilbern should face the death penalty or not is being fast tracked by federal authorities.
Wilbern was brought into federal court in Rochester this afternoon. Prosecutors told the judge they’re pushing to settle the death penalty issue as quickly as possible, within 30 to 40 days.
New York has no death penalty, but federal law does. Wilbern killed Raymond Batzel and wounded another man during his alleged robbery of the credit union in Webster in 2003. The victim’s mother, Rowena Batzel, says she’d favor the death penalty if it were guaranteed.
Whether Wilbern faces the death penalty or life in prison is up to the U.S. Attorney General. A Capital Defender has already been named in case she decides to apply it.