An ex-employee of Xerox is accused of robbery and the shooting of a customer.
Democrat and Chronicle reported that Richard Leon Wilbern was arrested and accused of robbery and the murder of Raymond Batzel in August 2003, and is now to appear in federal court to face the charges. Wilbern may face the death penalty for the murder of Batzel at the Xerox Corporation campus, where he also allegedly robbed the credit union.
The court will hear whether or not the federal authorities wish “to seek the death penalty” for the former employee, who tried unsuccessfully to sue the company in 2000. The decision for the death penalty lies ultimately with the US Attorney General, but “earlier indications” suggest that the prosecution does not “plan to recommend pursuing the death penalty”.
It was due to someone identifying him from posters and videos that the FBI arrested Wilbern, and his DNA was a match to genetic samples found on an umbrella left at the scene of the crime by the alleged killer. Batzel’s family have waited 13 years for justice and say that “their prayers have been answered”.