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Wife may testify to avoid death penalty in husband's slaying
Schoeck expected to testify against accused triggerman in 2010 Valentine's Day shooting
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Stacey Schoeck, who could face the death penalty if convicted of hiring a man to kill her husband in 2010, likely will testify against her alleged co-conspirator next week.In exchange, Hall County’s district attorney won’t seek the death penalty against her, according to statements made Thursday in Hall County Superior Court.Schoeck’s former co-worker, Lynitra Ross of Austell, will stand trial for what prosecutors say was her role in the 2010 Valentine’s Day slaying of Richard Schoeck in Belton Bridge Park.Ross is accused of being the go-between for Stacey Schoeck and accused triggerman Reginald Coleman, also of Austell. Prosecutors say Stacey Schoeck paid Coleman $10,000 to kill her husband at the Lula park on the banks of the Chattahoochee River.Ross, they say, connected Schoeck, her supervisor at a DeKalb County spine clinic, with Coleman.Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Coleman.According to statements made in court Thursday, they likely will seek the same punishment for Schoeck if she refuses to testify in Ross’ trial.If Schoeck testifies, she will plead guilty to murder and avoid the death penalty.“We expect her to be testifying truthfully,” District Attorney Lee Darragh told Hall County Superior Court Judge Jason Deal.Ross’ attorneys likely will emphasize the deal with prosecutors in their cross-examination if Schoeck testifies, asking “what happens if you don’t do this?” Ross’ attorney, Rodney Williams, said.Attorneys for both the defense and the prosecution refused to comment after the hearing.Ross will not be handcuffed during her trial, and Deal said Thursday that he will allow her to wear clip-on earrings during court proceedings.