The jury in the trial of convicted Volusia County killer Luis Toledo recommended a life sentence Friday night.
Jurors began deliberating whether to recommend a death sentence or life in prison just before 3 p.m.
Reading of the verdict initially was misinterpreted as a death sentence, but the vote was later clarified that Toledo was indeed sentenced to life in prison.
Toledo was found guilty last week in the deaths of his wife, Yessenia Suarez, and her two young children, Thalia Otto, 9, and Michael Otto, 8. The bodies of the three victims were never found.
Just before 7 p.m., the jury returned to the courtroom with a recommendation that Luis Toledo spend the rest of his life in prison.
Prosecutors said he killed his wife and his stepchildren after learning that Suarez was having an affair and sought a divorce.
Deputies had said Toledo confessed to killing Suarez, but he denied killing her children. Prosecutors said the children trusted him, but he killed them to get rid of witnesses.
Toledo's lawyers showed jurors a scan of his brain Thursday and called on an expert witness, who said Toledo might have an injury that causes him to be aggressive.
"Bottom line is his brain is not wired the right way," defense attorney Michael Nielsen said. Toledo showed no remorse or emotion during the three week trial.
Friday, Toledo's defense team begged for life in prison and said that is a greater punishment than death.
Sign Up
