Last sentencing testimony due at Ohio killer's trial

CLEVELAND (AP) — Sentencing testimony is winding down at the Cleveland trial of a man who killed 11 women, now that jurors have heard from the defendant himself.

Anthony Sowell apologized Monday before the jury that must decide whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison. He said he was truly sorry from the bottom of his heart.

Relatives of victims wiped away tears as Sowell made his first detailed public comments since his 2009 arrest.

The prosecution was not allowed to cross-examine him, so the question of why he killed the women went unasked.

After state rebuttal witnesses, attorneys for both sides will make their final arguments to the jury and deliberations will start. The jury will be sequestered during deliberations, as they were during the trial’s verdict phase.