Jurors were openly weeping as they heard testimony from Demonte Leonard's 11-year-old brother during the sentencing phase of his murder trial on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Jurors voted 7 to 5 to recommend Judge Jacob A. Walker sentence Leonard to life in prison without parole after they heard testimony about mitigating circumstances.
Leonard was found guilty of capital murder on Oct. 7.
Walker set Nov. 5 as the date he will officially sentence Leonard.
The decision came after two days of emotional testimony from Leonard's friends and family.
When Leonard saw his little brother walk in the court room to testify Thursday morning he put his head down and began to weep.
During his little brother's testimony several people in the court room began crying, including members of the jury.
In a quiet voice, Leonard's little brother answered yes or no questions about Leonard's impact on him from defense attorney Susan James.
"He's helped me a lot." Leonard's brother said.
James also called Kurtavious Wright, Leonard's father, to the stand.
Wright is currently serving a 20-year prison term for burglary but has been in and out of prison since 1989, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
James asked Wright if the jury should recommend life in prison.
"Most definitely," Wright said, "if I could take his place, I'd ask for that."
Wright said he was responsible for the way Leonard's life has turned out.
"If I would have done things the correct way, he wouldn't be in a court room today," Wright said.
This story will be updated as the trial continues.
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