Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty For Convicted Murderer

State prosecutors preset Joseph Alliniece’s long history of violence to jurors in hopes of getting the maximum sentence. 

Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn told the jury about numerous convictions, stints in jail, and what prosecutors said is a history of hurting those close to him.

“He is a continuing threat and the violence that he’s committed in the past,” said Mashburn. 

The state laid out the three reasons, or aggravating factors, they said warrant the death penalty during opening arguments Tuesday.  

Alliniece’s mother and sister shared what his childhood was like.

They said he was well liked, athletic, he even received a scholarship for football. But his sister also talked about some issues.

“Prior violent acts he’s been convicted of domestic violence against former girlfriends and then we’ve heard testimony from family members about how he’s acted towards them.”

The state’s next few witnesses worked in jails that held Alliniece, one working in the Cleveland County jail.  There he’s accused of following a female inmate to the bathroom and groping her breast as she tried to exit.

“This happened just earlier this month,” Mashburn added. “Even in jail settings he continued to threaten and assault people.”

A former Texas corrections officer told jurors about a fight between Alliniece and another inmate more than ten years ago. Alliniece bit the inmate’s cheeks so hard the inmate started bleeding. 

He got into another fight at that jail, another witness said he “launched” himself at another inmate. that time Alliniece needed medical help. 

The defense brought up Alliniece’s mental health several times. 

 It’s the first time the topic has been discussed in the courtroom.  His team said he wasn’t getting necessary medication when the most recent jail incident happened. 

“Their job is to put on mitigations and that’s what they’re attempting to do,” said Mashburn. “We don’t have any evidence saying that he’s been diagnosed with anything that makes him need any medication.”

The state is expected to rest their case in the sentencing phase of the trial Wednesday afternoon.  The defense will begin presenting its case on Thursday.