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Defence seeks mercy for Alabama grandmother convicted in girl’s running death
GADSDEN, Ala. – Defence lawyers are asking a jury to spare the life of an Alabama woman convicted of running her granddaughter to death.
Jurors will be back in court in Gadsden on Wednesday for a sentencing hearing for 49-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard.
The jury convicted Garrard of capital murder last week in the death three years ago of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin. The girl’s mother has joined with prosecutors in seeking the death penalty for Garrard.
But the defence is trying to convince jurors to recommend life without parole for the woman.
Garrard’s lawyers can introduce evidence showing she doesn’t have a criminal record. They could also ask relatives to testify on Garrard’s behalf, and the defendant could take the stand again.
The final sentencing decision is up to the judge.
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