Posted Feb. 27, 2008 –  A day after the mother of Bobby Cutts pleaded with jurors to spare his life, defense attorneys said Tuesday that his execution would only extend the pain that began when the 30-year-old ex-Ohio police officer murdered his girlfriend and their unborn son.

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''We know his actions were wrong. He knows his actions were wrong,'' attorney Carolyn Kaye Ranke told jurors. Ranke and defense attorney Fernando Mack asked the panel of six White men and six White women to recommend to the judge life with possibility of parole after 25 years, rather than death.

''This prosecutor here wants you to kill Blake's father,'' Mack said. ''He still loves his father. ...The bottom line is that there is no sense in shattering more lives.''

Blake is the 3-year-old son of Cutts and Jessie Marie Davis, the 26-year-old woman who Cutts killed and dumped in a park.

Cutts is no Ted Bundy, Mack said, referring to the serial murderer, who was electrocuted by the state of Florida in 1989. He is remorseful and accepts responsibility for the deaths; things just “got out of control” during a lover’s quarrel, he said.

Cutts eventually led police to Davis ’ body, which he had hidden for 10 days. But prosecutors said the heinousness of Cutts’ act should not be overlooked, arguing that he intentionally killed his pregnant wife and Chloe, the pre-named, baby she was carrying.

As for Cutts’ contention that he accidentally threw an elbow that connected to her throat, Assistant Prosecutor Dennis Barr scoffed, “Really, Bobby? Really? Because he had a chance. He had a chance to walk away. He had a chance to stop. He had a chance to save baby Chloe. But he didn't because he chose not to. He chose to destroy life. He chose to kill Jessie and Chloe and for that you should choose a sentence of death.''

If you were a juror, what penalty would you choose for Cutts?  Click "Discuss Now" to post your comment.