Defense: Steele deserves life, not death

DADE CITY -- The state will argue two aggravating factors the jury in the Alfredie Steele Jr. sentencing should consider when deciding whether to put the convicted cop-killer to death.

Assistant State Attorney Jim Hellickson's opening is succinct:

"No. 1, the crime for which he is to be sentenced was committed in a cold, calculated, premeditated manner without any moral or legal justification," the prosecutor said, "and the victim of the crime for which (Steele) is to be sentenced was a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his official duties.

"It's not a counting process. It's a weighing process ... if you feel the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances, you should recommend a sentence of death."

Then Assistant Public Defender Bob Focht delivers the defense's opening:

"I cannot tell you that today is going to be any easier."

Unlike the trial phase, voluntary intoxication can now be considered in the penalty phase, Focht tells the jury.

Then Focht tells the jury they will hear about Steele's life -- good and bad.

"Alcohol abuse. Emotional disturbances. You will hear evidence of a number of deaths, violent deaths, in Mr. Steele's life before this incident. Contributions from his family and the community about the kind of person he was, is, and will be. His manner, his mild manner.

"Probably the most fundamental concept that you need to go back into that jury room with is that there is never, ever, a circumstance in which you are required to return a recommendation of death ... after all is said and done, you have no obligation at any point in time to return a verdict -- a recommendation -- of death.

"After you have heard ... the evidence presented in this portion, and when you consider it with the evidence presented in the first portion of this case, you will come to the conclusion that a recommendation of life is a proper (sentence.)"

-- JAMAL THALJI