THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411080510
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 22 lines
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday upheld the death sentence Russel William Burket, who pleaded guilty to the Jan. 14, 1993, murders of Katherine A. Tafelski and her 5-year-old daughter, Ashley Tafelski, in Virginia Beach.
Burket's was one of six death-penalty convictions upheld by the court on Friday, including the conviction of Lonnie Weeks, found guilty of in the shooting death of State Trooper Jose M. Cavazos in Prince William County.
Burket, who lived next door to his victims, was arrested several days after the slaying after he confessed to police. At his sentencing, Burket applauded when the judge sentenced him to death, saying ``Thank you. Thank you.''
KEYWORDS: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT by CNB