By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

Anthony Darnell Mason

HAMILTON - After deliberating for nearly eight hours over two days, a Butler County jury Thursday recommended that a Northern Kentucky man receive life in prison without parole for the murder of his ex-girlfriend last May.

The jury could have recommended a death sentence.

Anthony Darnell Mason, 44, of Covington will be formally sentenced June 10 in Butler County Common Pleas Court. Judge H. J. Bressler is required to follow the jury's recommendation.

The same jury on Monday found Mason guilty of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and felonious assault. Authorities say he broke into a Hamilton apartment, hit Janie Turley on the head with a gun and then fired the shot that killed Janie's daughter, Angela Turley, 27.

The Turleys lived in the apartment.

"He is going to die in prison where he deserves to die," Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Craig Hedric said. "We respect the job (the jury) did. We have no quarrel with their decision."

Jurors had four options: A death sentence; life in prison without parole; 30 years in prison before the possibility of parole and 25 years in prison before the possibility of parole.

The jury began deliberating on a penalty Wednesday afternoon and continued their discussions for more than five hours before asking to be sequestered at a hotel for the night. They continued deliberating for about 90 minutes Thursday before reaching a verdict.

In emotional testimony Wednesday, several of Mason's children and other relatives pleaded for his life, telling jurors that he can still be a positive influence on them - even in prison.

"We're just grateful that his life was spared," said Mason's sister, Sharlette Tolliver. "It's in God's hands now."

E-mail daveck@fuse.net