Prosecution concludes case to give Colin Broughton the death penalty

The State rest its case Friday afternoon as a jury decides whether 25-year-old Colin Broughton should receive life in prison or the death penalty.

Broughton was convicted Wednesday of murder, criminal sexual assault, armed robbery and attempted arson.  The second part of the trial to sentence Broughton began on Thursday afternoon.

Authorities say Broughton went to his aunt’s home on September 18, 2006 with a claw hammer in his hand. Police say he robbed and brutally beat his aunt, 59-year-old Shirley Birch, to death then sexually assaulted her daughter before trying to set them on fire.

9th District Solicitor Scarlett Wilson’s office tried to prove aggravating evidence which could warrant the death penalty.  They brought witnesses from Broughton’s criminal past as well as family members scarred by Birch’s death.

Broughton’s defense is asking for mercy and previously attempted to plead guilty.  His Bill McGuire attorney says the defendant has a history of physical and sexual abuse which lead him to commit the violent acts.