Dad convicted of murdering his 2-year-old daughter by setting her on fire to address jury (Mesa, Arizona)

Dad SHAWN GRELL has been convicted of intentionally setting his 2-year-old daughter on fire and killing her. Now he will speak to the jury, who will decided whether Dad is mentally retarded under Arizona law, and whether he should get the death sentence.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/07/21/20090721mr-grell0721-ON.html

Convicted child murderer to address jurors today
by Jim Walsh and Brian Hernandez - Jul. 21, 2009 12:45 PMThe Arizona Republic

Convicted murderer Shawn Grell will speak to jurors Tuesday before they start deciding whether he is mentally retarded under Arizona law and if his death sentence should be reversed or reinstated.

Grell, 34, who once lived in Mesa, was sentenced to death in 2001 by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Barbara Jarrett in one of the East Valley's most heartbreaking murders.

Grell was convicted of intentionally setting his own daughter, Kristen Salem, 2, on fire on Dec. 2, 1999, in a county island east of Mesa. The Arizona Supreme Court ordered the case presented to a jury for re-sentencing after the Arizona death penalty that was in effect at that time was overruled.

Juries now are required to decide if defendants should receive death sentences. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to execute the mentally retarded.

Grell will speak to a jury of six men and nine women. Closing arguments are scheduled for Wednesday, followed by jury deliberations.

Judge Teresa Sanders rejected a defense motion for a directed verdict.

"Grell is or has been mentally retarded, and the death penalty is inappropriate for him," defense attorney Joseph Stazzone argued.

Grell, wearing a grey shirt with dark pants, fidgeted during the court hearing.

He agreed to speak to jurors, even though he has not received his medication for three days.