Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
State of Oregon v. Laverne Pavlinac and John Sosnovske
Date: 12-31-1991
Case Number:
Judge: Paul Lipscomb
Court: Circuit Court, Multnomah County, Oregon
Plaintiff's Attorney: Multnomah County Oregon District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney: Not available
Description:
Portland, Oregon criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with manslaughter in the first degree, ORS 163.118; rape in the first degree, ORS 163.375; sexual abuse in the first degree, ORS 163.427; and felony murder, ORS 163.115.
Laverne Pavlinac, age 57, and John Sosnovske, age 39, were accused of killing Taunja Bennett, age 23, who killed on January 21, 1990.
The evidence against Defendant was problematic.
Defendant pled not guilty.
The evidence against them consisted primarily of Pavlinac's recorded confessions and accusations as well as her success in identifying the place the body was found. Pavlinac was tried first. She recanted her confession and said that she had made it up to escape from Sosnovske. In January of 1991 she was convicted of felony murder by a jury in Multnomah County Circuit Court. She was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 10 years.
Sosnovske pled guilty despite the fact that he was actually innocent before feared the death penalty.
Laverne Pavlinac, age 57, and John Sosnovske, age 39, were accused of killing Taunja Bennett, age 23, who killed on January 21, 1990.
The evidence against Defendant was problematic.
Defendant pled not guilty.
The evidence against them consisted primarily of Pavlinac's recorded confessions and accusations as well as her success in identifying the place the body was found. Pavlinac was tried first. She recanted her confession and said that she had made it up to escape from Sosnovske. In January of 1991 she was convicted of felony murder by a jury in Multnomah County Circuit Court. She was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 10 years.
Sosnovske pled guilty despite the fact that he was actually innocent before feared the death penalty.
Outcome:
Defendants were both exonerated in 1994 and were released from prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Oregon v. Laverne Pavlinac and John Sosnovske?
The outcome was: Defendants were both exonerated in 1994 and were released from prison.
Which court heard State of Oregon v. Laverne Pavlinac and John Sosnovske?
This case was heard in Circuit Court, Multnomah County, Oregon, OR. The presiding judge was Paul Lipscomb.
Who were the attorneys in State of Oregon v. Laverne Pavlinac and John Sosnovske?
Plaintiff's attorney: Multnomah County Oregon District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Not available.
When was State of Oregon v. Laverne Pavlinac and John Sosnovske decided?
This case was decided on December 31, 1991.