Death Penalty Sought In 2 Murder Cases

SEBRING - Prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they will seek the death penalty against Edgar Michael Otero, who is facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

Otero was indicted in January by a Highlands County Grand Jury in connection to the November 2006 murder of Alexa Hall, a 3-month-old girl.

Originally, investigators thought that Hall died of shaken baby syndrome, but an autopsy by the District 13

Medical Examiner's Office in Hillsborough County later showed that she died of blunt force trauma.
On the morning of Nov. 12, Brandy Hall, the baby's mother, and Otero, reportedly brought the child in to the Florida Hospital emergency room for an unknown sickness.

According to Otero's arrest report, Hall was brain dead.

Hospital officials decided the baby needed to be airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital, where she was eventually taken off life-support.

Otero has been held in the Highlands County Jail since November without bond.

Avon Park Shooting

Prosecutors will also be seeking the death penalty against Donald Alfonso Henry, who is facing a first-degree murder charge, in connection to the shooting death of Hugh Andrew Marks Jan. 7.

Marks' body was found lying on the ground near the intersection of Garrett Road and Alabama Avenue, in Avon Park.

After a warrant was issued for Henry's arrest, he reportedly fled Highlands County, eventually turning himself in to the Orlando Police Department.

On Jan. 16, Vackara Darnell Massaline, 31, was also arrested on a charge of accessory after the fact in the murder of Marks. Investigators believe that Massaline helped Henry following Marks' murder.

Henry is currently being held in the Highlands County Jail without bond.