Should killer Wilks be put to death? Mahoning jury to decide

By JOE GORMAN

jgorman@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Jurors who found 42-year-old Willie Wilks guilty of aggravated murder this month will return to Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Monday to hear testimony on why he should not be put to death.

Jurors convicted Wilks on April 14 of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications for the May 21, 2013, shooting death of 20-year-old Ororo Wilkins. He also was convicted of felonious assault for the wounding of 25-year-old Alex Morales and two counts of attempted aggravated murder for shooting at Morales and Ororo Wilkins’ brother, Willie Wilkins.

Wilks is eligible for the death penalty because jurors found that he was guilty of murdering Ororo Wilkins while trying to kill two or more people.

This part of the case is commonly known as the “mitigation phase.” While prosecutors still have the burden of proof to convince a jury that Wilks must be put to death, defense attorneys will present evidence to the jury as to why Wilks’ life should be spared.

Wilks claimed he is innocent, and after he was convicted he kicked a hole in the wall near the prisoner elevator at the courthouse.

Judge Lou D’Apolito is hearing the case.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.