Cleveland County jury now deliberating fate of ballerina's killer

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ A Cleveland County District Court jury is now deliberating whether the killer of a University of Oklahoma ballerina will be executed or given life in prison. <br/><br/>The jury convicted

Friday, February 17th 2006, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ A Cleveland County District Court jury is now deliberating whether the killer of a University of Oklahoma ballerina will be executed or given life in prison.

The jury convicted Anthony Sanchez earlier this week of first-degree murder, rape and sodomy of Juli Busken. The nine woman, three man jury is recommending 40 years in prison on each of the rape and sodomy counts.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the murder conviction.

Deliberations began about 11 Friday morning after prosecutor Richard Sitzman told jurors that some people do things so evil and depraved they forfeit their right to live.

Defense attorney Silas Lyman says Sanchez is not ``all evil'' and asked jurors to show him mercy and compassion.