SUNBURY - The family of murder victim Troy LaFerrara wants the death penalty rather than life imprisonment for Miranda and Elytte Barbour.
A family spokesperson, who asked not to be identified, said Saturday that LaFerrara's wife, Colleen, and other relatives have made it known to Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini that they are against any plea deals offered to either defendant.
The spokesperson said family members want the newlywed couple to suffer on death row, where they would be entitled to few privileges.
"We don't want any plea bargaining going on," she said. "The entire family feels the same way."
The spokesperson said she expects Colleen LaFerrara to attend the formal arraignment of Miranda Barbour at 9 a.m. Tuesday before Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest, but wasn't certain if any other family members would attend.
Elytte Barbour waived his right to arraignment in the Court of Common Pleas, meaning he doesn't have to appear for the brief legal proceeding that involves a judge reading the charges to the defendant.
Rosini must decide by Tuesday if he plans to seek the death penalty for the defendants. Both defense attorneys in the case, Edward Greco and James Best, said they expect Rosini to seek the death penalty, which would only apply if the defendants are convicted of first-degree murder.
Pennsylvania is one of 32 states that still has the death penalty and there are 18 aggravating circumstances that can lead to a capital murder conviction.
But even if the Barbours are both convicted of first-degree murder and receive the death penalty, it's highly unlikely their death sentences would be carried out because the state has a very low rate of execution.
Only three convicted murderers have been executed since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, and all three chose to forgo their appeals process, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
There are currently 198 inmates, including four women, on death row.