Sentencing phase begins for convicted U.S. Marine killer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — The sentencing phase in the retrial of Dawan Mulazim began Tuesday.

Monday night a jury found Mulazim guilty of murdering U.S. Marine Jonathan Price who was robbed and shot to death outside the Austin City Saloon in 2014. Price’s wife, Megan, was also shot.

The jury, however, could not decide whether Mulazim was the one who shot Price.

Tuesday, loved ones of Price’s and Mulazim’s spoke to jurors as they try and decide what Mulazim’s sentence should be.

The commonwealth spoke first, telling the jury about Mulazim’s previous convictions and that he was a nine time convicted felon.

Mulazim was on parole at the time Price was shot and killed and the prosecution says if he had been locked up Debbie Price would still have her son and Megan would still have her husband.

Price’s mom and widow spoke at Tuesday’s sentencing leaving many tearful as they talked about life since Jonathan’s murder.

Megan told the court at the time of his death she and Jonathan were talking about starting a family and saving money to buy a house.

She also revealed why she doesn’t celebrate her birthday anymore.

“It’s not really something to celebrate. Why? Because we were out for my birthday. And what does your birthday remind you of now? The worst day of my life,” a conversation between the prosecution and Megan.

Debbie Price told jurors it kills her that her son will never be a father and she will never be a grandmother.

“That hole in my heart won’t ever be completely filled in, but I am grateful that I have so many great memories and special memories to at least help fill it in,” says Debbie Price.

PRice told jurors she still keeps his old texts and voicemails and can’t bring herself to delete them. She also keeps totes of his clothes around the house.

The defense asked the jury not to consider the death penalty, saying it should be used for evil people and Mulazim is not one.

The defense said Mulazim has had many challenges in his life, one growing up without a father.

Mulazim’s mom, Dawn, also spoke, telling jurors how hard it was raising three kids on her own.

The court also heard from Mulazim’s nephew who says Mulazim has been a father figure to him his entire life.

“Just any kind of issues that I’ve had. He always asks me like ‘What’s going on in your life? What you been doing? What ya up to?’ I feel like he kinda helps me keep my head on straight, just knowing that it’s not just me that I gotta look out for,” says Raequan Benton, about Mulazim.

The sentencing phase has wrapped up for the day. More of the defense’s witnesses will be heard Wednesday, before the jury will deliberate on sentencing.