VT- Feds to seek death penalty for alleged killer

8-25-2009 Vermont:

MONTPELIER, Vt.—Federal prosecutors say they'll seek the death penalty for a man charged in the 2008 slaying of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett.

U.S. Attorney Tristram Coffin says prosecutors filed a "Notice of Intent to Seek a Sentence of Death" on Tuesday against 43-year-old Michael Jacques. Jacques, a convicted sex offender who is the girl's uncle, is charged with kidnapping resulting in death.

He allegedly drugged, sexually assaulted and strangled the Braintree seventh-grader sometime after her June 25, 2008 disappearance in Randolph. Her body was found a week later in a shallow grave.

Jacques' defense attorneys didn't return calls seeking comment. ..Source.. by Boston.com