MARION COUNTY FL. —
A jury of 12 has recommended the death penalty for 21 year old Michael Bargo, who last week was convicted in the gruesome murder of 15-year-old Seath Jackson.
Prosecutors said Bargo and four others lured Jackson to a home, beat him, shot him to death, then burned and dismembered his body. On Tuesday, Jackson's mother, cried as prosecutors called the killing cold, calculated and premeditated. They said Bargo was in control from the beginning.
Bargo's defense attorney, Charles Holloman, told jurors he agreed it was a terrible crime, but argued that clearly Bargo is a sick man with psychological problems.
The jury needed a majority to recommend Bargo receive the death penalty. Ten of the 12 jurors voted in favor of the sentence. If the judge agrees, Bargo will be the youngest person on Florida's death row.
A hearing has now been scheduled for Sept. 11 at 1:30 p.m.