Jesse James Hollywood
SANTA BARBARA -- Jurors on Wednesday recommended life without parole for Jesse James Hollywood for the kidnap-murder of a 15-year-old boy.
Jurors spent two days deciding whether to recommend death or life in prison for Hollywood.
Hollywood's family members took the stand and described him as a loving, peaceful role model.
"Jesse never even got into a fight, ever," his mother, Laurie Haynes, told jurors Monday during the penalty phase of the murder trial.
As a child, he was always home for dinner and loved animals, she said. After moving out, he would often visit his parents, she added.
The 29-year-old Hollywood was convicted last week of the first-degree murder and kidnapping of Nicholas Markowitz over a drug debt owed by his half-brother.
Markowitz was kidnapped from a San Fernando Valley street on Aug. 6, 2000.
The crime inspired the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog," with Bruce Willis and Justin Timberlake.
Hollywood is scheduled to be formally sentenced on Oct. 21.
Jurors spent two days deciding whether to recommend death or life in prison for Hollywood.
Hollywood's family members took the stand and described him as a loving, peaceful role model.
"Jesse never even got into a fight, ever," his mother, Laurie Haynes, told jurors Monday during the penalty phase of the murder trial.
As a child, he was always home for dinner and loved animals, she said. After moving out, he would often visit his parents, she added.
The 29-year-old Hollywood was convicted last week of the first-degree murder and kidnapping of Nicholas Markowitz over a drug debt owed by his half-brother.
Markowitz was kidnapped from a San Fernando Valley street on Aug. 6, 2000.
The crime inspired the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog," with Bruce Willis and Justin Timberlake.
Hollywood is scheduled to be formally sentenced on Oct. 21.
