ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
A Douglas County jury continued to hear testimony Friday as it considers whether to send Tracen Franklin, 20, to death row for the unprovoked beating death of 18-year-old Bobby Tillman.
Franklin was found guilty of murder Wednesday for his role in the beating. He was one of four people involved.
It took only two hours of deliberation Wednesday for jurors to convict Franklin.
Emanuel Boykins took a plea deal in April and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Quantez Devante Mallory, 19, and Horace Damon Coleman, 20, were also charged in the killing, but the prosecutor is not seeking the death penalty in their cases. They are awaiting trial.
Franklin's attorney called Boykins to the witness stand Friday. He told jurors he threw the first punch that knocked Tillman to the ground. Prosecutors pointed out that Boykins only threw one punch and he did not stomp Tillman.
According to witness testimony, Tillman did nothing to provoke the attack. He was sitting on the trunk of a car, staying out of the chaos that had erupted when teenage girls began fighting outside a house party in Douglasville in November 2010.
Boykins was inadvertently struck as he tried to break up the girl fight. According to witnesses, Boykins said that since he doesn't hit girls, he would "pop" the next boy he saw. That boy was Tillman. Boykins threw a punch that knocked the smaller Tillman to the ground.
Witnesses said Boykins' friends, including Franklin, joined in the attack, stomping and kicking Tillman repeatedly as he lay on the ground.
The medical examiner said the blows caused a tear in Tillman's heart, killing him.
Douglas County prosecutor Bonnie Smith asked the jury to recommend execution as the only suitable punishment.
Franklin's attorneys are asking for life with the possibility of parole.
The defense wrapped up Friday. Court is in recess Monday. On Tuesday, both sides will present closing arguments regarding sentencing, and the jury will then determine a recommended sentence.
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Tracen Franklin
