Should convicted killer Michael Davis get the death penalty? Jurors return to court Thursday to decide

YOUNGSTOWN — Jurors who last week found Michael A. Davis guilty of setting a fire that killed six people will return to Mahoning County Common Pleas Court at 8:30 a.m. Thursday to consider whether he should die for the city’s largest mass murder.

Davis, 18, of Bennington Avenue set fire to an upholstered couch on the front porch of 1645 Stewart Ave. at 5:30 a.m. Jan. 23. The fast-spreading flames trapped six members of the Crawford family, two women and four children. They all died from smoke inhalation.

The defense said it will call witnesses from Davis’ background, including his mother, and a psychologist to discuss, among other things, his mental capabilities.

The prosecution will ask the jury, eight women and four men, to consider trial evidence and exhibits.

Jurors will then deliberate and come back with a decision for the death penalty; life imprisonment without parole; 30 years to life; or 25 years to life on each of the six murders.

If they vote for the death penalty, Judge R. Scott Krichbaum will consider the recommendation and announce when he has reached a decision. The judge can override the jury decision for death. He cannot override if jurors vote against death.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.