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Jurors Decide On Life Sentence Rather Than Death Penalty For Suspect In Washington Co. Slaying

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WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) -- Jurors have decided against imposing the death penalty on a western Pennsylvania man convicted in a slaying six years ago.

The (Washington) Observer-Reporter reports that the Washington County jury deliberated for about three hours Tuesday before deciding on a life-without-parole sentence for 24-year-old Brandon Wolowski.

brandon wolowski
Brandon Wolowski (Photo Credit: Washington County Jail)

Wolowski was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this month in the January 2013 killing of 37-year-old Matthew Mathias during what authorities said was an attempt to steal a gun collection from the victim's house.

Prosecutors argued that execution was warranted because a 45-year-old woman was wounded and the slaying occurred during commission of a felony. The defense cited Wolowski's difficult upbringing.

Wolowski will be sentenced later on attempted homicide, aggravated assault and robbery convictions. Defense attorney Noah Geary said he plans to appeal.

(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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