a jury decided to change the fate of Jamaal Abeokuto...

a jury decided to change the fate of Jamaal Abeokuto, 27, sentenced to death for kidnapping and killing Marciana Ringo, his girlfriend's 8-year-old daughter, on Dec. 12, 2002. Instead of the death penalty, a jury decided Abeokuto will serve life in prison without parole.
A judge sentenced Abeokuto to death on Dec. 15, 2004 (see), but on Feb. 13, 2006 (see) Maryland's highest court ruled should he get a new sentencing hearing because of errors at his trial.
Abeokuto told psychiatrists he had killed the girl to somehow make Marciana's mother turn to him for comfort.