INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A prosecutor said Tuesday that he'll seek the death penalty against an Indianapolis man who he says killed three people in four days in attacks inspired by the horror movie "The Purge."
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said at a news conference that his office would pursue the death penalty against 19-year-old Johnathan Cruz in the killings of the three men, which he described as "beyond senseless" and "for no reason whatsoever."
"We assert that the defendant killed these three individuals as part of a 'purge,' based upon that movie of the same name," he said. "Quite simply, we allege that these were killings for sport, and thus could not be more appropriate for consideration for capital punishment."
The 2013 film and its sequels are about one day a year when murder is legal.
Cruz is charged with murder in the fatal shootings of 54-year-old Billy Boyd and 40-year-old Jay Higginbotham on May 12 and 44-year-old Jose Ruiz on May 15. The court filing requesting the death sentence lists six aggravating factors, including that Cruz is accused of having killed multiple people and done so while attempting to commit armed robberies.
Cruz has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges, including robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, intimidation and pointing a firearm. His attorney, Raymond Casanova, didn't immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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