Sells' court-appointed attorney urged the jury to convict him of murder rather than capital murder, saying the state did not prove that Sells broke in specifically to sexually assault the girl, a component that could make the crime punishable by death. But jurors quickly convicted Sells of both capital murder and attempted murder. Sells had pleaded guilty to attempted murder for the attack on Kaylene's friend Krystal Surles, who had been visiting from Kansas at the time of the attacks. Seated in the front row of the courtroom, Krystal reacted to the verdict with a big smile. I think I can sleep and not have nightmares, and maybe do better in my own bed.
Sells now faces life in prison or lethal injection.
Testimony in the punishment phase of his trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The jury was sequestered for the remainder of the trial. Defense attorney Victor Garcia said the verdict was not a surprise. Testimony began Sept. 12 in this border city 160 miles west of San Antonio. Sells pleaded innocent to capital murder on the contention that he did not sexually assault Kaylene.