Jury recommends execution for serial killer in Cleveland

Photo by: Marvin Fong

AP

Photo

Anthony Sowell sits in the courtroom before the jury recommended the death penalty for Sowell Wednesday, August 10, 2011 in Cleveland. Sowell was convicted July 22 of aggravated murder in 11 women's deaths. (AP Photo/The Plain Dealer, Marvin Fong, Pool)

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A serial killer who hid the remains of 11 women in his Cleveland home and yard should be put to death, a jury recommended Wednesday.

Anthony Sowell, 51, was convicted last month of aggravated murder in the deaths of the women, whose remains were unearthed in his home and yard in late 2009.

The same jury that convicted Sowell deliberated for less than a day before deciding to recommend execution by lethal injection over life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The final sentence will be up to Judge Dick Ambrose, who will impose the sentence Friday and is permitted to reduce a death penalty sentence to life without parole.