Conn. inmate convicted of killing cellmate

VERNON, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut inmate could face the death penalty after he was convicted of killing his cellmate at a Somers prison.

The Hartford Courant reports that the jury deliberated less than 90 minutes total before returning the verdict Tuesday against 25-year-old Jose Jusino.

Jusino was serving a 30-year prison sentence for murder when he strangled 22-year-old Reynald Robles at the Northern Correctional Institution in July 2009.

A convicted murderer who kills again can be charged with a capital felony in Connecticut. Jurors will return next week to decide if Jusino should be sentenced to death.

The prosecution said Jusino repeatedly admitted killing Robles, including to correction officers, a state police detective and in letters to the prison warden.

His attorney argued Jusino was in a rage when he killed Robles and therefore didn't intend it.