Jurors decide on life term rather than execution in slaying

WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) - Jurors have decided against imposing the death penalty on a western Pennsylvania man convicted in a slaying six years ago.

The (Washington) Observer-Reporter reports that the Washington County jury deliberated for about three hours Tuesday before deciding on a life-without-parole sentence for 24-year-old Bandon Wolowski.

Wolowski was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this month in the January 2013 killing of 37-year-old Matthew Mathias during what authorities said was an attempt to steal a gun collection from the victim’s house.

Prosecutors argued that execution was warranted because a 45-year-old woman was wounded and the slaying occurred during commission of a felony. The defense cited Wolowski’ s difficult upbringing.

Wolowski will be sentenced later on attempted homicide, aggravated assault and robbery convictions. Defense attorney Noah Geary said he plans to appeal.

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Information from: Observer-Reporter, http://www.observer-reporter.com