Second death penalty trial for Stanko starts Monday

Stanko has been sentenced to die for killing his girlfriend.

AP
Published: November 9, 2009
Updated: November 9, 2009

A man already on South Carolina’s death row for killing his girlfriend is going on trial again in another death penalty case.

Opening statements are expected Monday in Stephen Stanko’s second trial. A judge ruled he was competent to stand trial last week.

Authorities have charged Stanko with shooting Henry Lee Turner in the 74-year-old’s Conway home on April 8, 2005.

Stanko has been sentenced to die for killing his live-in girlfriend, Laura Ling, and assaulting a teen on the same day. Stanko is being held on death row in Ridgeville, with no date set for his execution.

A gag order prevents attorneys from discussing Stanko’s case.