CENTENNIAL — Sir Mario Owens is a killer who has “struck at the heart of the criminal justice system” and therefore he should be put to death, prosecutors said today.
Jury members in Arapahoe County District Court are now deciding whether Owens should be put to death for killing a witness who was scheduled to testify against Owens’ friend, and the witness’ fiancee.
Defense attorneys asked the jury to have mercy on Owens and spare his life.
They also said during closing arguments of the sentencing phase that Owens had a brain deficiency.
“He’s like a kid. . .in his ability to make decisions,” defense attorney Dan King said.
But prosecutor Ann Tomsic said Owens doesn’t deserve any mercy.
“What you have seen in these past few months is a killer with no remorse. He kills and he kills again,” Tomsic said.
Owens, 23, is serving life in prison without parole in the death of Gregory Vann at Lowry Park in Aurora on July 4, 2004.
He is accused of killing Javad Marshall-Fields and Vivian Wolfe on June 20, 2005, as they drove down an Aurora street.
“What Owens did, he ambushed, he killed and he murdered Javad and Vivian,” said Rhonda Fields, Marshall-Fields’ mother. “I have confidence they (the jury) are going to come back with a just decision.”
Jurors began deliberating at about 4 p.m.
They were not expected to convene over the weekend if a swift verdict was not reached.
They must be unanimous in their decision for Owens to receive a death sentence.
