ADAMS TRIAL Jury recommends death sentence

By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Mary Ann McCann said recommending that convicted murderer Stanley Adams should die was the hardest thing she has ever done.
Her face drawn, her hands nervously clutching her purse, McCann said deliberating Adams' punishment "was horrible."
"All of us jurors respect human life, and we found this very difficult," McCann said. "This was the hardest thing I will ever do."
McCann, one of 12 jurors who recommended on Wednesday that Adams be sentenced to death for the October 1999 murders of Esther Cook, 43, and her 12-year-old daughter, Ashley, said she has had nightmares since the case began in August.
"I'm sure I will continue to have nightmares," McCann said.
The jury deliberated about four hours before returning its recommendation.
Adams, who showed little emotion during the monthlong trial, sobbed and shook his head no when the jury's recommendation was read. Adams pleaded with the jury Tuesday to spare his life. He has denied any involvement in the murders.
Sentencing: Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court said he will review all the information before deciding if he will follow the jury's recommendation. He has scheduled Adam's sentencing for 9 a.m. Oct. 10.
The judge can sentence Adams to death, life in prison without the possibility of parole or life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 or 30 years.
Defense attorneys Ted Macejko Jr. and Mark Lavelle declined to comment.
Prosecutor Dennis Watkins and assistant prosecutors Sarah Kovoor and Diane Barber said they were pleased with the recommendation.
"This has been a tremendous jury," Watkins said. "They started this on Aug. 27. It's been a long case and a very difficult case."
Watkins also praised the work of the Warren City Police Department and detectives Jeff Hoolihan, Dan Mason and Manny Nites.
"These detectives did a lot of work and did a very good job," Watkins said.
Convictions: Last week, the same jurors found Adams guilty of two counts of aggravated murder and specifications that the murders took place when Adams was committing other crimes. Adams was also convicted of two counts of rape and one count each of kidnapping and aggravated burglary.
Prosecutors said Adams raped the girl, then killed her and her mother.
Adams was previously convicted in the Aug. 6, 1999, murder and rape of Roslyn Taylor, 40, of Poland Township. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, but maintained his innocence in that case, too.
Officials don't know if Taylor knew Cook or Ashley.
Authorities say Adams was a self-employed auto mechanic who had lived with the Cooks for a short time.