LEBANON, Ohio – A jury in southwest Ohio decided that a 19-year-old man should be executed for killing an 18-year-old U.S. Navy recruit and dumping his body in the woods several counties away.
The same jury that convicted Austin Myers of aggravated murder last week deliberated six hours Monday before voting to recommend the death penalty for him, instead of life in prison. The judge will have the final decision when Myers is sentenced Oct. 16 following a hearing.
If Myers is sentenced to death, he will become the youngest inmate on Ohio's death row. He's about five years younger than the current youngest person awaiting execution.
Prosecutors urged a death sentence in the slaying of Justin Back, pointing to evidence that Myers spent a day and a half planning the crime, overcoming setbacks and altering the scheme several times.
"Austin Myers chose to kill," Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said. "As a result he forfeited his right to live."
Myers and 19-year-old Timothy Mosley were accused of killing Back, who was about enter the Navy, during a burglary and then dumping his body in Preble County, north of Dayton. Prosecutors dropped the death penalty specifications against Mosley in exchange for his testimony against Myers. Mosley faces life in prison.
Myers went to the witness stand to deliver a statement to the jury, according to the Dayton Daily News.
"I'm sorry that this happened," he said. "I know this doesn't bring Justin back. I wish I could go back in time and stop this."
Myers urged the jury to spare his life for his family's sake.
"If you choose for me to die, it's only going to cause more pain and suffering for another family," he said. "Not me. I won't feel anything."
