Displaying items by tag: penalty phase

The penalty phase of Kenan Ivery's trial got underway Thursday, with jurors considering whether they'll recommend he lives or dies.

Ivery was found guilty of aggravated murder last week by that same jury, in the killing of off-duty Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner at Papa Don's Pub last November.

Ivery's mother, Cynthia, begged for mercy.

"To have mercy on my child," she implored the jury in emotional testimony, "I cannot handle losing another child."

She told the Winebrenner family that she knows the pain of losing a loved one.

Kenan Ivery is expected to take the stand Friday.