MARTINEZ, Calif., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A California man who killed his sister and brother-in-law was sentenced to death Thursday despite his nephew's plea for a life sentence.
A jury in Contra Costa County near San Francisco deliberated for just over an hour before deciding on the penalty for Edward Wycoff, 40, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Last week, jurors took only 45 minutes to convict him.
Wycoff, who acted as his own lawyer during both the guilt and penalty phases of his trial, said Julie and Paul Rogers deserved what happened to them. The couple were stabbed and bludgeoned in their home in El Cerrito.
A prosecutor said Wycoff wanted to adopt his sister's children.
While he showed no emotion when he heard the penalty, Wycoff commented "That's pretty quick" just before jurors returned with their decision and said "Dead man walking" as he was led out.
Eric Rogers, 21, testified during the penalty phase that his uncle was "mentally childish" and should not be executed. The judge barred him from telling the jury that his parents were death penalty opponents.
Deputy District Attorney Mark Peterson, in his summation Thursday, told jurors the killings affected all of society, not just the Rogers family.
