The sentencing phase for Bessman Okafor will continue next week in an Orange County courtroom.
Okafor was convicted of killing 19-year-old Alex Zaldivar during a home invasion back in September 2012.
On Friday, the jury heard testimony that was very different from the murder trial.
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The testimony focused on Okafor’s childhood. Before Okafor chose a life of crime, his family said he was a victim.
His younger brother Trentton James said Okafor was constantly beaten by his mother, who was convicted of child abuse.
“She would whoop him all the time," James said. “Well, she’d make him get naked and she’d get like two belts and whoop him. That’s what she usually did.”
Okafor’s mother, Catalina Ruffin-Sinclair, admitted on the stand that she beat all of her children, but said she did not recall stripping Okafor to deliver punishment.
She said she tried to raise him right and said he had mentors at church.
At 14 years old, Okafor was sexually abused by an adult, who was later convicted of this crime. His step-father, Trevor Sinclair, said that was a turning point.
“He was ashamed," Sinclair said. "He went downhill from there.”
For the victim’s family, they’re not buying it and said they want Okafor to die.
"I think it has no bearing," said Rafael Zaldivar, the father of Alex Zaldivar. "Nothing.”
Alex Zaldivar would have turned 22 on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, the same day Bessman Okafor was convicted of his murder.
Okafor is already serving a life sentence for the original home invasion, and is now awaiting his sentence for murdering Zaldivar, and attempting to kill his two roommates.
This time, the punishment could be death. The defense will continue to call more character witnesses on Monday.
Then the jury will hear final statements from the attorneys before they begin deliberating the death penalty.
Ultimately, it will be up to the judge to decide.