Prosecutors won't seek death penalty for Joseph Morrow Prosecutors won't seek death penalty for Joseph Morrow (December 24, 2003)

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

Although Joseph Morrow is eligible to be put to death for allegedly killing his Menlo Park wife in 1991, prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty in the case.

A major factor in that decision was whether a jury would agree that the death penalty was appropriate, Deputy District Attorney Jack Grandsaert said. In this case, he said the alleged killing of 37-year-old Donna Morrow was premeditated but had emotion involved, so a jury might not support the penalty.

Mr. Morrow's crime is considered a capital offense because it carries an enhanced charge of committing murder for financial gain. Witnesses have said Mr. Morrow, 55, knew his wife wanted a divorce and that he was afraid she would take his assets and office supply business away, according to grand jury transcripts.

Mr. Morrow was scheduled to appear in San Mateo County Superior Court on December 23 to enter a plea in the case. He was expected to plead not guilty, Mr. Grandsaert said.

Mr. Morrow was allegedly living under an assumed name in the Philippines when he was arrested in January and brought back to the United States on passport fraud charges. He had been a longtime suspect in Ms. Morrow's slaying, but investigators were unable to find her body until September 13, when her skeletal remains were discovered on undeveloped land in Los Gatos owned by Mr. Morrow.

In grand jury transcripts released earlier this month, five witnesses, including Mr. Morrow's family members, testified that he admitted or acknowledged killing his wife.

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