Mercy asked for killer of bartender

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 10:47 a.m.

Ed Koch

While awaiting trial for killing a bartender execution style, Charles Randolph sent his wife flowers from jail and encouraged his stepdaughter, who had failed the proficiency test, to remain in high school.

Before jurors in the courtroom of District Judge Michael Douglas began debating Wednesday whether to give the 33-year-old twice-convicted felon the death penalty, the defense presented witnesses that put a human face on the killer.

Attorneys Chris Brown and Willard Ewing asked for mercy for their client, who according to testimony was addicted to crack cocaine since age 18.

On Monday Randolph was convicted of first-degree murder, robbery, burglary and kidnapping in the May 5, 1998, slaying of Shelly Lokken at Doc Holliday's Tavern.

Deputy District Attorneys David Wall and William Kephart argued that the death penalty was appropriate for a man who allowed cocaine to rule his life and refused free treatment to get off drugs while in prison for other crimes.

The jury deliberated for an hour and a half Wednesday and were to return today to decide the proper punishment from four choices -- 100 years or life, each with the possibility of parole after 40 years, life without parole or death by lethal injection.

"I depend on him a lot -- I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown," Linda Randolph, Charles' wife of four years, said. "He calls (from jail) to make sure I take my medication for anxiety and depression. He helps me get through. ... I still love him."

Linda Randolph told jurors that on a day when she felt real down, she arrived at work to find flowers Charles had sent her from jail.

Both Linda and her 18-year-old daughter, Monica Morgan, told the jury how after Monica twice failed the high school proficiency test, Charles talked her out of quitting school. Monica passed the test on the third try and graduated.

"I will always love him," the teenager said as jurors passed around a box of tissues and wiped away tears. Asked what it would mean to her if Randolph got the death penalty, Morgan said: "When I need his help he won't be there."

Kephart reminded the jury of the brutality of the killing, noting that Randolph, a former cook at Doc Holliday's, handcuffed Lokken, made her drop to her knees and shot her twice in the head.

Ewing said that while it can be argued that no one gave Shelly any mercy, the jury's decision "is not about hate or vengeance. ... Mercy is not something you should ignore. It is perfectly appropriate for you to give mercy."

Brown also argued that death is not the proper punishment in this case. He said life in prison will provide closure for the Lokken family, while a death penalty will prolong their suffering until it is carried out years from now.