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Jury Sentences Man to Death for Killing Couple

Updated: Monday, 17 Aug 2009, 9:52 AM MDT
Published : Monday, 17 Aug 2009, 9:22 AM MDT

PHOENIX - The Maricopa County attorney's office says a handyman convicted of killing a Glendale couple in 2004 and leaving their bodies wrapped in plastic in a bedroom closet has been sentenced to death.

A jury sentenced 47-year-old Benjamin Bernal Cota -- an ex-convict from Tolleson who had worked as the couple's handyman -- to death Friday.

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Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas says the case demonstrates why Arizona has the death penalty.

The county attorney's office says Cota remained in the house for a week after killing 73-year-old Victor Martinez and his wife, 40-year-old Guadalupe Zavala.

Cota allegedly invited friends to stay the night and withdrew money from the victims' account.

Authorities say the couple hired Cota in November 2003 to help fix up their home.

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