Overview

• The same 12 jurors who found Earls guilty on Tuesday returned Thursday to decide his sentence in the 2022 killing of Arlene Alvarez.
• After testimony concluded Wednesday, Judge Danilo Lacayo set closing arguments for Thursday morning before the panel began punishment deliberations.
• Prosecutors requested the maximum sentence, arguing probation would be inappropriate without acceptance of responsibility, while the defense asked for probation.
• Earls testified that he was legally carrying a handgun, expressed remorse, and asked the Alvarez family for forgiveness as the child’s mother gave emotional testimony.
• Prosecutors highlighted his post-2022 firearm behavior, including an instance of brandishing at a stepson, and police still have not identified the robber who set the events in motion.