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Sentencing Date Set In Blaine Ross Murder Case

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Michael A. Scarcella \ Sarasota Herald Tribune

Published: October 30, 2007

BRADENTON - A judge has set Nov. 16 as the day Blaine D. Ross, convicted of killing his parents in January 2004, will learn whether he lives or dies for the double-murder.

A jury recommended earlier this year that Ross, 25, be executed for fatally beating his parents, who were sleeping when Ross crushed their heads with a baseball bat.

Ross staged a burglary at his home in an attempt to dupe Manatee County sheriff's investigators, Assistant State Attorney Art Brown said at trial. Ross brutally killed his parents for monetary gain, the prosecutor said.

But Ross' attorneys say he should spend the rest of his life in prison without parole because, among other things, he is mentally ill; his relatives do not want him to die; his age; and his long history of substance abuse.

Circuit Judge Edward Nicholas is prepared next month, after spending weeks weighing the merits of each side, to announce the sentence. Nicholas is not obligated to follow the jury's recommendation. The 10 a.m. hearing is scheduled to last an hour.

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