Jurors in David Martin murder case could sentence him to death, but will they?

WARREN

When prosecutors and attorneys for murderer David Martin spoke to jurors last week, they frequently thanked them for their service. This happens so much during jury trials, it becomes repetitive.

But starting Wednesday morning, when jurors begin to hear testimony and arguments focused on whether they should sentence Martin to death, the weight of their task may become more clear.

They will have to decide whether Martin’s crimes, including robbery, kidnapping and using a firearm, are sufficient for them to recommend to the judge execution by the state.

They will learn about Martin’s personal history — about the hardships he experienced growing up in Cleveland — so they can decide whether his background mitigates what he did.

In closing arguments several hours before the jury found Martin guilty of killing Jeremy Cole, 21, and attempting to kill Melissa Putnam, 30, Assistant Trumbull County Prosecutor Chris Becker told the jurors they had been carefully picked for this task because they had “middle of the road” views on the death penalty.

Becker, as he has in past murder trials involving the death penalty, is likely to stress to the jurors during closing arguments of this phase of the trial that it is their obligation to choose the death penalty if they find the aggravating circumstances of Martin’s crimes outweigh the mitigating factors.

But recent history suggests it may be tougher than ever to persuade a jury to choose the death penalty.

Read why in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.