Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

McKenna’s niece recalls his help

In a tearful plea, the niece of convicted killer Patrick McKenna asked that her uncle's life be spared so her unborn daughter may benefit from his wisdom and love that helped her through troubled times.

Jennifer McKenna Zurflueh, now five months pregnant, said "Uncle Pat" was there for her during her stormy first marriage at age 18. He encouraged her to move ahead after her divorce and pursue an ice-skating career with Disney.

"He's never let any of the family come help him because he thinks we're ashamed of him. I'm not ashamed of him," Zurflueh said Tuesday, sobbing. "I just want to ask you don't take him away from me.

"In about four months I'm going to bring a little girl into this world and I don't want to bring her to her Uncle Pat's grave site. ... I don't want to tell her that this wonderful man isn't here to help her through hard times."

A Clark County jury must decide whether to sentence McKenna to death for killing a cellmate on Jan. 5, 1979, the same day he was convicted of rape charges in a separate case.

McKenna, 50, went through two prior penalty hearings -- both ending in death sentences -- but appeals courts overturned them. The underlying murder conviction was upheld.

McKenna smiled fondly during Zurflueh's testimony, which drew tears from McKenna's family and Nevada Deputy Public Defender Nancy Lemcke. Jurors leaned forward in their seats.

The defendant planned to speak to the jury today through unsworn testimony, which prevents state prosecutors from cross-examining him. His comments are limited to expressing remorse for the murder and telling of his plans for the future.

"Will I be able to discuss the crime itself, not in denial, in explanation?" McKenna asked District Judge Myron Leavitt.

"You go over it with your attorneys," Leavitt replied. "I suggest you practice it in front of your attorneys."

"OK, judge, that's what I'll do," McKenna said.

This week's testimony has focused on McKenna's troubled childhood in Las Vegas. Two of McKenna's four younger brothers testified that they believed McKenna's violent behavior can be blamed on an abusive, alcoholic father and poorly trained juvenile probation officers.

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