The sentencing phase for Desmond Lavonta Brown who was convicted of the murder of two Rome sisters is set to begin Monday morning – here in Cherokee County (Alabama).  The jury found Brown guilty of Capital Murder last Tuesday, which could mean a death sentence.  Now that he’s been convicted, the trial essentially enters a second phase where jurors will hear testimony prior to imposing a sentence.  Under Alabama law, Capital Murder cases require a unanimous jury vote for a guilty verdict – but in the penalty phase a jury can impose the death penalty on a vote of 10 to 2 or 11 to 1. 

Brown, alongside two co-defendants, was accused of killing an Armuchee High School student, Vanita Richardson and her sister as well – Truvenia Campbell here in Alabama, and then disposing of the bodies, by throwing them off the loop near Grizzard Park in Rome.  The three men were first charged with Murder in Floyd County until that evidence showed that the killings actually took place in Alabama.  They still face charges in Floyd County, and an assistant district attorney with the Floyd County DA’s Office, Emily Johnson, has been assisting with the Alabama case; testimony in that case began on November 13th and it lasted through Tuesday.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Ghee Wilson – testified the men traveled back to Georgia – where they drove around – and later sold an amount of synthetic marijuana, prior to placing bags over the sisters’ heads and dumping their bodies off the bridge.  They then reportedly traveled to Atlanta where they met with associates and burned Richardson’s gold 1997 Toyota Corolla.   All three returned to Rome – where they were arrested on other charges, before being charged with Murder.

Again, the jury is scheduled to meet on Monday morning (November 27th).

(Rome News Tribune and WRGA News in Rome, Georgia)