Marcyniuk fit to stand trial for murder of UA student
Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2008
Marcyniuk
A Fayetteville man facing the death penalty for the stabbing death of his 24-year old ex-girlfriend is fit to stand trial, according to a psychologist with the Arkansas State Hospital.
Zachariah Marcyniuk, 28, does not have a mental disease or defect. His diagnosis is adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and borderline personality disorder, according to a mental evaluation by Dr. Michael Simon.
Marcyniuk is accused of stabbing Katharine “ Katie ” Wood to death on March 9. Wood, of Greenbrier, was a senior English major at the University of Arkansas.
He is being held without bail in the Washington County Detention Center on charges of capital murder and residential burglary. He is represented by Fayetteville attorney W. H. Taylor.
He had been delivering pizzas the night before the attack and drove by her house several times because he planned to return her telephone to her, according to the mental evaluation.
When she did not return home by 2 a. m., he entered the apartment through the bedroom window and waited for Wood to come home. He suspected her of having another boyfriend, according to the report.
The case had been set for trial in May, but proceedings were delayed after the defendant’s attorney filed a notice to raise a mental defect or disease as a defense.
The mental report’s findings clear the way for prosecutors to move forward in this capital murder case.
The death penalty is justified in this case because the “ defendant committed the murder in an especially cruel and depraved manner, ” according to a motion filed by 4 th Judicial District Prosecutor John Threet.
Marcyniuk has a violent history.
Marcyniuk pleaded guilty in July 2005 to aggravated assault and was sentenced to two years of probation. He was accused in that case of holding a gun to his head and threatening to commit suicide while driving 70 mph as he held his girlfriend against her will in the vehicle.
That same girlfriend filed three orders of protection against Marcyniuk during 2005, according to court records, before he eventually found another girlfriend and apparently left her alone.
If convicted of capital murder, Marcyniuk faces either life in prison without parole or the death penalty. He could get between five and 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 15, 000 on the burglary charge.
The case is set for trial on Dec. 8.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
