Opinion ID: 1136073
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The defense case-in-mitigation

Text: Defendant, the only witness called as part of the defense case-in-mitigation, testified briefly as to his background, and to the circumstances relevant to the present case, informing the jury that he was 31 years of age at the time of trial, the second of 5 children born out of wedlock and raised in a fatherless home, and a high school dropout who took a dishwashing job at approximately age 16 to help his mother pay the family's expenses. He characterized the relationship between himself and his siblings as one filled with hatred, and stated that he often assumed the roles of peacemaker and disciplinarian. Beginning in 1978, defendant became addicted to heroin and cocaine. Although married to Tanya, defendant explained that the victim Grayson had been his girlfriend during the months preceding her death, and that he and Grayson had maintained a beautiful relationship. He similarly characterized his friendship with Grayson's children. Defendant acknowledged, however, that he and Grayson quarreled frequently, explaining that he could not understand why she began to engage in acts of prostitution  conduct that led to the deterioration of their relationship. Defendant expressed grief over Grayson's death and regret that Janet Benner had died, adding that he and Benner never had met. On cross-examination, defendant acknowledged having pled guilty to committing a burglary in Texas. At the conclusion of the penalty phase, the jury returned a verdict imposing the death penalty, and the trial court entered a judgment of death.