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) - Prosecutors in Reno are trying to persuade jurors to sentence a Nevada man to death now that he's been convicted of raping and murdering Brianna Denison and sexually assaulting two other women.
James Biela's public defenders return to Washoe District Court Friday to argue that the 28-year-old pipe fitter's life should be spared. They say he should get life without parole. They're calling members of Biela's family as witnesses to testify about his abusive childhood.
The jury deliberated for just over six hours before finding Biela guilty on Thursday of all five counts tied to the 2008 killing of the 19-year-old Denison and assault of the others.
District Attorney Dick Gammick says it is cases like this that always strengthen his faith and belief in the jury system.