A Marion County jury has recommended life in prison for convicted killer James Bannister.
PREVIOUSLY:
- Jury finds James Bannister guilty in Marion quadruple murder
- Trial starts for man accused of killing 4 in Marion County
- Man arrested in murder of women, children found in burning Ocala home
- Murdered women, children laid to rest in Ocala
The jury had two options: life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. After deliberating for two days, the jury recommended a life sentence for Bannister.
Bannister was convicted last week of killing his girlfriend, her mother and her mother's boyfriend's two children in 2011.
Investigators said Jocalyn Gray; her mother, Bridget; and two children who were living with Bridget — Cor-Darrian and Cor-Derica Hill — were shot and their bodies were found in Bridget's burning home.
The jury voted eight for death and four for life in prison on all four first-degree murder counts. The jury had to be unanimous for a death sentence.
The defense has 30 days to appeal the sentence.