Grief, killer’s criminal past focus of death penalty phase
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The penalty phase of the trial of a Pittsburgh man already convicted of killing two sisters who lived next door has focused on testimony from their grieving relatives, and the criminal record of the killer.
An Allegheny County jury was hearing that testimony Tuesday in the trial of Allen Wade. He was convicted Monday of killing Sarah and Susan Wolfe while robbing their home of a bank card in February 2014.
On Tuesday, the victim’s relatives took the stand to describe their grief over the women, sisters of Democratic Iowa state Rep. Mary Wolfe.
Police also testified about Wade’s extensive criminal record including robberies of a bank and a shoe store back in 2002.
The jury must decide whether Wade faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole.