District attorney opts for death penalty

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County district attorney's office will seek the death penalty if Dennis Reed is convicted in the homicide of his estranged girlfriend.
Reed, 30, of New Castle, was charged in January with criminal homicide, kidnapping, criminal attempt at burglary, simple assault, unlawful restraint and a charge prohibiting a felon to carry a gun.
Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino said his office decided to pursue the death penalty because they believe Wendy Miller, 28, of Sankey Street, was killed during a series of other felonies. Reed was also subject to a protection-from-abuse order of court at the time of Miller's death.
Miller's body was found dead Dec. 23 in a wooded area off Neshannock Boulevard in New Castle with a gunshot blast to the back of the head.
She and three of her four children were reported missing on Dec. 17 by family. The children were found unharmed about a week later in Butler, Pa., with Reed, who had been arrested after police found a shotgun and cocaine on him. He also faces drug and weapon charges in Butler.
Miller's children told police that they had been living out of their mother's vehicle with Reed since Dec. 16, when they last saw their mother walking into the woods with Reed. Her body was found nearby.
Reed remains in jail without bond and is expected to appear in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court for formal arraignment. A trial date has not been set yet.