ORLANDO, Fla. — A jury on Wednesday afternoon recommended that a judge sentence Bessman Okafor to death for the 2012 killing of 19-year-old Alex Zaldivar.
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That was the second time a jury had recommended the death penalty for Okafor -- a jury had originally sentenced him to death in 2015, but a change in how the state handles the death penalty led to a resentencing trial; a second attempt ended in a mistrial last year.
Zaldivar was supposed to testify against Okafor in a home invasion case.
Prosecutors said Okafor masterminded Zalvidar’s execution-style killing, and the attempted killing of two others to prevent them from testifying against him.
Watch live updates to this developing story on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
Earlier story:
A jury in Orange County could deliver its final decision Wednesday in the resentencing trial of a convicted murderer.
Closing arguments are underway in the trial of Bessman Okafor.
It’s the third time prosecutors have tried to sentence Okafor for the 2012 killing of 19-year-old Alex Zaldivar.
The jury is hoping to have a decision by the end of the day, but is also prepared to stay in a hotel overnight.
Watch: Opening statements begin in convicted murderer’s resentencing trial in Orlando
They will first have to decide on Okafor’s fate.
Only eight jurors are needed to impose the death penalty.
However, if they aren’t unanimous Okafor could be back for a fourth attempt in a few years if the state Supreme Court overturns Florida’s new death penalty standard.
Read: Alabama man shook violently on gurney during first-ever nitrogen gas execution
Prosecutors say Okafor masterminded Zalvidar’s execution-style killing, and the attempted killing of two others to prevent them from testifying against him in a home invasion case.
A jury first sentenced Okafor to death several years ago, but the 11 to one decision was overturned.
And the first retrial ended in a mistrial for juror misconduct in November.
Watch: Judge hits juror who lied, caused mistrial with max sentence
Okafor did not take the stand in his own defense this time.
His attorneys say there is no solid proof he was the mastermind of the killings.
Channel 9 has a crew inside of the courtroom and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
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