Prosecutors to seek death penalty in Va. baby case

PULASKI, Va. (AP) - Pulaski County prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing his infant son.

Thirty-two-year-old Howard Cole of Pulaski is charged with capital murder and illegal disposal of a body.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Justin Griffith says the prosecution is dropping a child abuse charge so that it can focus on the capital murder case.

The Roanoke Times ( https://bit.ly/1kOj5hd) reports that Griffith announced the decision Wednesday during a hearing in Pulaski County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on the abuse charge.

A hearing on the other charges is set for May 23 in circuit court.

Police found the body of Cole’s 5-month-old son, Cory Cole, in a wooded area in Draper on Jan. 30.

The infant’s mother, 29-year-old Samantha Warden, is charged with child neglect.

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Information from: The Roanoke Times, https://www.roanoke.com