WILMINGTON, Del. -- Thomas Capano's descent from Delaware's highest political and legal circles ended when a jury pronounced him guilty of murdering his mistress, the governor's scheduling secretary.
Now the only question is whether the conviction will cost the 49-year-old former state prosecutor his life.The six-man, six-woman jury that found Capano guilty Saturday of murdering Anne Marie Fahey will begin a new hearing Wednesday -- this time to determine whether it will recommend the death penalty.
Following the announcement of the verdict Sunday, lead defense lawyer Joseph Oteri said that before exploring an appeal he first needs to protect Capano from execution.
"We hoped we had convinced the jury there was reasonable doubt," Oteri said. "We will go on to the penalty phase and save Tom's life."
The guilty verdict against Capano came after three days of jury deliberation that capped a 12-week, high-profile trial.
Without a body, a weapon or any concrete evidence to prove how Fahey died, prosecutors used circumstantial evidence to show Capano had planned her death. Jurors had to believe the crime was premeditated to convict on the sole charge of first-degree murder.
Capano -- a member of one of Wilmington's most powerful families and a former aide to both former Gov. Michael Castle and former Wilmington Mayor Daniel Frawley -- admitted dumping Fahey's body at sea but said another mistress had killed her by accident.
The trial had Delawareans transfixed, exposing sensational details about some of the most influential people in this usually staid financial center.