BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a neighbor and a local pastor.
Andres Avalos Jr. faced execution. The Bradenton Herald (https://bit.ly/2rdo8p9) reports that jurors did not reach a unanimous vote for the death penalty late Monday.
Avalos was convicted Saturday of first-degree murder in the deaths of Denise Potter and the Rev. James “Tripp” Battle III in December 2014. He also was convicted of second-degree murder in his wife’s death.
Defense attorneys had argued that Avalos suffered from a delusional disorder and was insane at the time of the killings.
A sentencing hearing for the slaying of Amber Avalos has not been scheduled.
Battle’s widow said a life prison sentence for Avalos was “justice.” Prosecutors said they believed Avalos’ actions warranted the death penalty.
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Information from: The Bradenton (Fla.) Herald , https://www.bradenton.com
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