HAMILTON, Ohio — A Butler County jury has recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for a Hamilton man found guilty of aggravated murder in a 2016 murder for hire.
Thejury deliberated for more than six hoursFriday.
Here are the four sentencing options the jury was allowed to consider:
- Life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years
- Life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years
- Life in prison without the possibility of parole
- Death
Michael Grevious II was found guilty of aggravated murder in a 2016 murder for hire.
During closing arguments Friday morning, prosecutors asked the jury not to be swayed by sympathy for Grevious or his relatives, including two sisters, who testified Thursday about their difficult upbringing.
Family members said Grevious has much more to office and wants to be a father to his young son.
“It is easy to be swayed by sympathy, it is easy to feel sympathy for family members,” said Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress. “But that does not mitigate this defendant’s actions.”
“The defendant had every choice to live a different life, but he chose to hire people to kill Orlando Gilbert,” said Assistant Prosecutor Josh Muennich.
During that August 2016 drive-by shooting a second man, Todd Berus, was also killed.
Grevious, 25, of Hamilton, was found guilty Wednesday night after eight hours of deliberation of ordering a retaliation shooting at Central Avenue and Knightsbridge on Aug. 3, 2016 that killed two people.
Defense attorney David Washington asked the jury to consider life in prison with parole eligibility for Grevious.
“Do not allow anger or revenge to push you to impose the death penalty,” Washington said, noting it only takes one juror to spare Grevious’ life.
“I know there is good in him. That he can provide some guidance in his baby’s life,” Washington said.
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