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DA Seeks The Death Penalty Against Man Accused Of Killing Two Women

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will seek the death penalty against the man who was accused in the deaths of his ex-girlfriend and her grandmother.

In May, 25-year-old Cesar Mazza was arrested in New Jersey, nine days after the bodies of 19-year-old Tionna Banks and 72-year-old Valorie Crumpton were found in Crumpton's home. He was ordered to stand trial in September.

Thursday, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. notified the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas that the Commonwealth would be seeking the death penalty.

Earlier this year, Banks never showed up at a hearing on charges Mazza assaulted her when she was pregnant with the couple's son. Mazza didn't show up either.

Instead, the bodies of Banks and her grandmother, Crumpton, were found in the Karl Street home where Crumpton lived.

A pathologist testified the grandmother had 15 head injuries, and 11 blunt and sharp force injuries to her lower body. Banks had 17 wounds to her head and neck, and 20 sharp and blunt force injuries to her trunk. She also showed evidence of defensive wounds.

After hearing all the evidence, District Judge Robert Dzvonick ordered Mazza to stand trial on charges including kidnapping and criminal homicide.

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