Jurors say spare Curtis Young’s life; but no parole

YOUNGSTOWN — The life of Curtis Young has been spared.

The jurors who convicted Young of a triple murder recommended this afternoon that he serve life in prison without parole.

Young, 26, of North Center Street, was convicted May 8 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.

In that verdict, the nine-woman, three-man jury found him guilty as charged of all aggravated murder counts and all firearm and death penalty specifications.

In their deliberations concerning today’s penalty verdict, the jurors had four choices: 25 years to life in prison, 30 to life, life without parole; and the death penalty.

Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court will decide Young’s sentence, but she cannot impose the death penalty now that the jury has recommended one of the life sentence options. Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. Friday.