Family asks jurors to spare Wilks' life

YOUNGSTOWN —The brother and mother of Willie Wilks, along with the mother of his child, asked jurors in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court this morning to spare his life.

Wilkes, 42, was convicted earlier this month of the death last May of Ororo Wilkins, 20, wounding another man and trying to kill Wilkins' brother.

Wilks is eligible for the death penalty because jurors found he killed a person while trying to kill two or more people.

Wilks is expected to give a statement to jurors shortly

The proceedings were delayed about 90 minutes after an issue with a juror came up and the juror was dismissed. An alternate has taken her place.

Jurors can recommend a sentence of death; life without parole; or life with parole eligibility after 30 years or 25 years.

Judge Lou D'Apolito is hearing the case.