Sister pleads with Hamilton jury to spare her brother’s life

Less than 24 hours after finding Michael Grevious II guilty of aggravated murder, jurors returned to a Butler County courtroom the sentencing phase of the trial.

Grevious, 25, of Hamilton, was found guilty at about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday night of aggravated murder for ordering a retaliation shooting at Central Avenue and Knightsbridge on Aug. 3, 2016 that killed two people.

On the other charges — having weapons under disability and felonious assault — Grevious was found not guilty. Those charges were related to gun violence that killed his step-brother during the early morning hours of July 24, 2016 at a Hamilton bar.

Prosecutors submitted exhibit and testimony from the trial that they say support the aggravated circumstances of Grevious’ crime that will support the death penalty, but called no witnesses.

If the jury determines the aggravating circumstance for murder for hire outweighs any mitigating factors “you must impose death,” Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress told the jury.

But defense attorney David Washington said the jury would get a glimpse of Grevious and his up bringing through the testimony of family and friends.

“In the end you will find the mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating circumstances of the crime, Washington said.

The younger sister of Grevious took the stand Thursday and told the jury about her “best friend.”

Courtney Grevious said she and her brother are about one year apart in age and people often think they are twins.

“He is my best friend,” she said crying. “I love him so much.”

Courtney Grevious said she, Michael and their older sister, Cassidy observed emotional and physical abuse while growing up between their mother and father.

Eventually they moved with their mother to Georgia where they often lived in hotels and shelters, she said.

“It was tough,” she said, adding is was also difficult for Michael not having a father.

When the family moved back to Hamilton, Michael lived with his father and so did she for a short time.

“It was very negative,” she said.

Courtney Grevious said her father pushed Michael and his step-brothers, Mondale and Kalif Goens, into “hustling CDs and T-shirts.” He also belittled Michael, calling him a “Mama’s Boy,” she said.

Courtney Grevious said her brother has “so much to offer” and he wants to be a father to his son.

The defense showed the jury a photo of Grevious’s 1-year-old son

“We call him little Mickey,” she said.

Grevious began crying in court while looking at the photo of his son.

The jury has four sentencing options, according to Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser.

Those options are:

  • Life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years served
  • Life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years
  • Life in prison without the possibility of parole
  • Death

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Grevious is a repeat violent offender because of a previous conviction for aggravated robbery and the aggravated murder charge included a gun specification. That means if the jury chooses one of the parole-eligible sentences, an additional three years will be added for use of a gun. The judge can also sentence Grevious to an additional one to 10 years for the repeat violent offender classification.

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