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Alameda County DA won't seek death penalty in Nia Wilson murder case

By Aja Seldon and KTVU
Published  August 19, 2019 4:58pm PDT
Nia Wilson
KTVU FOX 2

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John Lee Coweel delayed entering a plea Friday on the murder charge he faces for the fatal stabbing of Nia Wilson, 18, at the MacArthur BART station.

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - The Alameda County District Attorney's Office on Monday said it will not seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing 18-year-old Nia Wilson more than a year ago. 

Last month, Superior Court Judge James Cramer ruled that the suspect in the case, John Lee Cowell, was mentally competent to stand trial despite his mental illness. Cramer said the decision was based in part on a recent doctor's report.

Cowell is charged with murder and attempted murder in the for allegedly stabbing Wilson and her sister, 26-year-old Letifah Wilson, on the platform at the MacArthur station at 9:36 p.m. last July 22.

He's also charged with a special circumstance allegation that he killed Wilson while lying in wait, an allegation that could result in life in prison without parole if he's convicted.

A plea hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11 and the trial is set for Jan. 6