Man won’t face death penalty in Oklahoma girl’s abduction

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A Midwest City man charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the abduction of an 8-year-old girl in 1997 won’t face the death penalty.

The Oklahoman reports prosecutors had until Friday to seek death as punishment for 57-year-old Anthony Joseph Palma but chose not to.

Kirsten Renee Hatfield’s body has never been found. She disappeared after her mother put her to bed in May 1997. Palma lived two doors down from the victim at the time.

Palma was arrested in October 2015 after new DNA testing connected him to evidence found at the crime scene.

Palma briefly appeared in court Friday, and his next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3.