BURLINGTON, Vt. (Map, News) - Federal prosecutors say they won't seek the death penalty in the case of a New York man accused in a drug robbery and killing.

U.S. Attorney Thomas Anderson says Acting U.S. Attorney General Mark R. Filip decided capital punishment wasn't warranted in the case of Roger Aletras, 35, of Bronx, N.Y.

Aletras is charged with use of a firearm resulting in murder - which is punishable by death, or life imprisonment - and four other charges stemming from the 2002 slaying of accomplice Kevin Arkenau. Prosecutors say the two traveled from New York City to South Burlington, where they allegedly stole 50 pounds of pot and a car at a motel.

The next day, Arkenau was found dead in a Saratoga Springs, N.Y., hotel room.