Defendant James Michael Biela stands in front of Jay Slocum, deputy public defender, in court in Reno, Nev. on Monday May 10, 2010 in the jury selection portion of his trial for allegedly raping and killing Brianna Denison in 2008 in Reno. (AP Photo/Pool, Marilyn Newton)
RENO (AP) - A jury has picked the death penalty for a 28-year-old Nevada man convicted of raping and killing a college woman after sexually assaulting two others in Reno more than two years ago.
The same Washoe County District Court jury that convicted James Biela last week deliberated about nine hours before reaching a unanimous verdict Wednesday.
The former pipe fitter from Sparks will be sent to death row to await execution by lethal injection.
Biela's public defenders asked the jury to spare Biela's life because he had no previous criminal record and had been abused growing up in poverty in the Chicago area.
Washoe County prosecutors sought death for Denison's rape and strangulation during a string of attacks that shook the Reno community in early 2008.