Man convicted in Henderson slayings

Thursday, March 11, 2004 | 8:38 a.m.

Jurors on Wednesday convicted one of two men charged in a double slaying in Henderson nearly four years ago.

Ralph Goodman was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon in the August 2000 slayings of David Bender, 21, and Steven Szany, 22. Authorities believe the killings were drug-related.

Goodman will be sentenced to life in prison without parole when he comes before District Judge Kathy Hardcastle on May 3. A penalty phase, in which jurors determine a punishment for a first-degree murder conviction, was waived in the case.

"Prior to trial, the defendant agreed to life without parole should he be convicted of first-degree murder," Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo said.

Stephen Ciolino, 34, Goodman's alleged accomplice, is scheduled to stand trial on identical charges in May. He faces a potential death sentence if convicted, DiGiacomo said.

A third person charged in the slaying, Cyndy Wass, pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder and was sentenced to two to five years in prison. Authorities believe Wasso drove Goodman and Ciolino to the scene of the slaying.

The two victims were found dead in the apartment they shared in Henderson near Sunset Road and Eiger Way. The men had been beaten and shot.

Prosecutors said shoes found in Goodman's home matched bloody footprints that were found at the scene and that the blood belonged to one of the victims. Goodman's wallet also was found at the crime scene.