The Bradenton jury that convicted Andres Avalos of murdering his wife, neighbor, and pastor in a fit of jealous rage, will soon decide if he lives or dies.
Testimony is over in the sentencing phase of the trial. Lawyers on both sides will wrap up their cases Monday afternoon, and then it will be back to the deliberation room. Avalos faces two possibilities—life in prison without the possibility of parole, or death by lethal injection.
Avalos was convicted Saturday of murdering his wife Amber Avalos, the mother of their six children, and then killing a neighbor Denise Potter, when she came to check on Amber and the kids. Avalos then went to his church, where he murdered Pastor James Battle, on the belief that he was having an affair with Amber.
Avalos’ lawyers claimed their client was insane and should be sent to a mental institution instead of prison. But the jury didn’t buy it, and after 12 hours of deliberations, convicted Avalos of all three murders, specifically second-degree murder for the slaying of Amber and first degree for the other two homicides.