Jury sentencing recommendation in James Worley's murder trial delayed | Mitigation day 1
Channel: WTOL11
Date: 2020-09-01

This story aired on April 2, 2018. At this point, court staff and attorneys are not explaining why this time is needed. We know several closed-door meetings took place this morning and whatever the issue was, it could not be resolved today so the jury was sent home.
The courtroom sat empty as it appeared the defense tried to work through an issue they need to be resolved before moving forward with sentencing.
The jury reported to the courthouse for the 9 a.m. hearing - and was held there, hoping the court would begin this afternoon. But after the lunch break, the judge finally took the bench and but did not give an explanation. 
Today was to begin the sentencing portion of this case. After Worley was found guilty on all 19 charges last week in the murder of Sierah Joughin,  today, the jury was to hear from witnesses called by the defense, testifying to Worley's past and character. The jury will use that testimony when deciding if Worley deserves to be sentenced to death or should face life in prison with the chance of parole after 25 or 30 years or no chance at all. Ultimately, it is the judge who will hand down the sentence, although he will consider the sentence the jury recommends.
I was in the courtroom as that news was delivered today. There was clear disappointment on the faces of the jury but also Sierah's family members. This has been a long trial and now, another delay before they can move forward. The court is expected to begin tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.
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