Kansas 2005

Sentenced to death in Shawnee County, Kansas

By: A judge after a jury recommendation

Date of crime: 12/13/03

Prosecution’s case/defense response: Cheatham killed Annette Roberson and Gloria Jones in a dispute over cocaine and money.  He also attempted to murder Annetta Thomas.  Thomas survived 19 bullet wounds by playing dead.  Thomas was able to identify Cheatham as the murderer.  Cheatham claimed he was not in Topeka at the time of the murders.  In aggravation, Cheatham was previously convicted of murder in 1995.  The defense attorney argued that if the BTK killer did not receive the death penalty, Cheatham should not.

Sources: Topeka Capital Journal 9/3/05 (2005 WL 14888361), 9/7/05 (2005 WL 14759986), 9/8/05 (2005 WL 14759980), 9/10/05 (2005 WL 14891524), 9/13/05 (14891276); Wichita Eagle 10/30/05 (2005 WL 17533660)