Death penalty deadline extended into January

COEUR d'ALENE - The deadline to determine if the death penalty will be sought against Angel Morales-Larranaga was extended Friday to Jan. 5 or 6.

Morales-Larranaga, 25, of Post Falls, was arrested for first- and second-degree murder of his wife, Facunda Valezuela, and 6-year-old step-daughter, Dayana Valencia, in July.

The deadline to determine whether the state would seek the death penalty or life in prison came Friday, but First District Judge Fred Gibler granted a request from Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh for a extension.

"Delivery of information from the defense came in a week ago Tuesday, which is later than we had anticipated it," McHugh told the judge, adding he still needs time to meet with counsel, the family and law enforcement on the decision to pursue the death penalty.

"We did not want to do that in a crunched time frame, so we talked with counsel and it was agreed upon that we would seek an extension," McHugh said.

Kootenai County Public defender John Adams said he agreed with McHugh, but added Morales-Larranaga, who is an illegal immigrant, has offered to plead guilty to both counts of murder in exchange for a sentence that would amount to life in prison.

"He wouldn't become eligible for parole until he is 105 years old," Adams told the judge.

On July 8, Morales-Larranaga allegedly told a family friend he had strangled his wife and step-daughter, according to police reports. The friend contacted police and told them the man was leaving her home.

Police later arrested Morales-Larranaga in his vehicle near Spokane Street and Poleline Avenue.

When detectives entered unit 211 of building B at the Tullamore Commons apartment complex, they discovered the two bodies and then secured the scene.

Gibler confirmed the defense was agreeable to the extension, and moved the date for next status hearing tentatively for Jan. 6 at 3:30 p.m., which may have to be moved to Jan. 5 if the previous date does not work.