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Testimony Ends In Penalty Phase For Yarbrough

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Nov 4, 2009 5:53 pm US/Eastern

Testimony Ends In Penalty Phase For Yarbrough

WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) ― Testimony in the penalty phase of a trial concluded in Washington County for a man who was found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of two Franciscan University students.

Terrell Yarbrough, 25, was convicted Tuesday in the 1999 shooting deaths of Brian Muha, 18, and Aaron Land, 20.

During Wednesday's proceedings, the defense told the jury that Yarbrough's parents' heroin addiction affected his upbringing and argued that mitigating factors should spare his life.

Also, this afternoon, a defense expert testified that Yarbrough is mildly mentally challenged with an IQ of 67.

But the prosecution said the multiple deaths make the case "no ordinary homicide" and should be factors in the decision of whether to sentence him to death.

Land's mother, Kathleen O'Hara, was called to the stand today and told the jury,"You've been living in my world for the past several weeks. It's an ugly place to be."

"We do not want him to be executed," said Chris Muha, the brother of victim Brian Muha. His family thinks Yarbrough should spend the rest of his life reflecting on the crime and seeking rehabilitation.

Closing arguments are slated for Thursday morning.

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