From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY — An Odenville man charged with capital murder in a February 2019 shooting at a business on Service Road, could be sentenced to death, if convicted.
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for Walter Edward Juskiewicz, according to court documents.
Juskiewicz, 34, is suspected of shooting and killing 39-year-old Arnulfo Ortega. Ortega was killed on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Ortega was going to buy a car from Juskiewicz, a co-worker, on the night of the shooting. Juskiewicz showed up and began shooting at the victims, according to investigators.
Ortega was struck, but a second victim was able to escape.
Juskiewicz’s trial is set for Aug. 23, 2021.
Juskiewicz is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond on the capital murder charge. In late 2020, an officer inside the jail said Juskiewicz was hoarding medication he had a prescription for, in order to sell them. The pills were found inside his cell in October. He is now charged with promoting prison contraband.
In 2013, Juskiewicz was charged with first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse of a child less than 12-years-old. Court records show Juskiewicz pleaded guilty to both charges in December of 2015. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with two years to serve. Eight years of the sentence were suspended if he completed five years of probation. He received credit for 324 days served at the time of his sentencing. Juskiewicz was also told to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors said they intend to use those prior convictions as evidence in the capital murder trial.
