UPDATE: Jurors decided Hugo Selenski should spend life in prison.
WILKES-BARRE -- As a jury prepares to decide the penalty for Hugo Selenski, his family and friends took the stand to plead with the 12 people who hold his life in their hands, asking them not to sentence him to death.
Jurors spent the morning getting to know a very different side of the man they have already convicted of first-degree murder. They heard Selenski's friends and family describe him as a family man whom they love very much.
Selenski was found guilty one week ago of robbing, beating, and killing Michael Kerkowski and Tammy Fassett in 2002, but on Wednesday the same jury that convicted him of first-degree murder and other charges heard about a much different side of Selenski from those who say they knew him best.
"I love him, and we are all here for support," said Selenski's daughter Rachael McCuen.
McCuen and Madeline Dworak are two of Selenski's daughters who asked for mercy for their father. They described him to the jury as "loving" "encouraging" and "supportive."
Each said they send letters and visit him often in prison. Rachael McCuen cried at one point as she told the jury she hopes to be able to continue those visits, "for the rest of my life."
A former neighbor described Selenski as a talented artist, showing the jury a painting Selenski made for him.
Several of Selenski's sisters testified about similar artworks he sends them and their family on birthdays and holidays.
Each of the 10 character witnesses for the defense told the jury that Selenski is a man they still need in their lives.
But in closing arguments, prosecutors told the jury, "we questioned 150 potential jurors and arrived at you 12 to deliver justice not on sympathy, prejudice, or compassion but based on the evidence presented in this courtroom."
The jury heard from Selenski for the first time in the penalty phase of this trial when he spoke across the room, saying, "E.J., I warned you, stop!"
Defense attorney Edward Rymzsa started to talk about the torture of one of the victims in his closing. After a moment consulting with Selenski, the defense attorney continued with closing, asking the jury to have mercy on Selenski and sentence him to life instead of death.
While none of the victims' family members testified during the penalty phase, the jury has heard from some of them throughout the trial.
Selenski's defense attorneys made their final plea to the jury telling them, "not to be swayed by the voices of vengeance," and save Selenski's life not for him, but for his family.
