Prosecutors say they will seek death penalty against 2 in fatal bank bombing in Oregon

State seeks execution for 2 in Ore. bank bombing

WOODBURN, Ore. — Prosecutors say they’ll seek the death penalty for a father and son accused of bombing a northwest Oregon bank and killing two police officers.

Fifty-eight-year-old Bruce Aldon Turnidge and his 32-year-old son, Joshua Abraham Turnidge, face charges that include aggravated first-degree murder in the December blast in Woodburn, which also injured a bank employee and the city’s police chief.

Marion County Deputy District Attorney Courtland Geyer announced during a court hearing Friday that his office would seek the death penalty, basing the decision on the evidence and the severity of the crime.

Judge Thomas Hart said the Turnidges’ trial likely will start in September 2010 because scheduling conflicts prevent it from starting earlier in the year. The trial is expected to last 12 weeks.