Curtis Young apologizes for triple murder

YOUNGSTOWN — Curtis Young apologized for the triple murder he committed as he made an unsworn statement to the jury that will deliberate whether he should live or die.

“I should have stayed in the house that day,” Young said this morning. “I’m sorry for the innocent life that was lost because of my actions.”

Young spoke during the penalty determination phase of his capital murder trial before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Young, 26, of North Center Street, was convicted by the same jury earlier this month in the July 31, 2007, shooting deaths of Helen Moore, 29, of Cassius Street, who was his ex-girlfriend; her nearly full-term fetus; and her 8-year-old son Ceonei.

Young was convicted of all aggravated murder counts and all firearm and death penalty specifications.

After hearing testimony in the penalty phase, jurors will recommend whether Young should serve 25 years to life in prison, 30 to life or life without parole, or receive the death penalty. Judge Sweeney will then decide the sentence, but she cannot impose death if the jurors recommend life.