San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe has announced his decision to seek the death penalty for Chunli Zhao, who is accused of a workplace killing spree claiming seven lives. This decision marks a significant moment, as only one death sentence has been carried out in the county in the last 30 years. Wagstaffe's tenure has seen a controversial history with capital punishment, having previously prosecuted several death penalty cases. His recent actions suggest a renewed willingness to pursue capital punishment amidst a backdrop of past cases from the 1980s and 1990s when the death penalty was more frequently sought.
Wagstaffe is known for his willingness to seek the death penalty in high-profile cases, only having pursued it once since taking office.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe's decision to pursue the death penalty against Chunli Zhao reflects a historic pattern of capital punishment in San Mateo County.
The last death sentence imposed in San Mateo was in 2009, when Alberto Alvarez was convicted for shooting a police officer.
From 1983 to 1994, prosecutors in San Mateo County sought the death penalty 18 times and won verdicts in 14 cases.
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