Reinaldo Rivera listens during closing arguments in his death penalty trial for the killing of Sgt. Marni Glista. Andrew Davis Tucker/Staff

Jury gives Rivera death

Reinaldo Rivera got what he asked for.

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Judge Albert Pickett rules on an objection by District Attroney Danny Craig during the death penalty trial against Reinaldo Rivera, Monday Jan. 26, 2004 in Augusta, GA. Andrew Davis Tucker/Staff Reninaldo Rivera's defense attorney Jacque Hawk gives his closing arguements to the jury Monday Jan. 26, 2004 in Augusta. Andrew Davis Tucker/Staff

After nearly eight hours of deliberations on his sentence, a Richmond County Superior Court jury found Mr. Rivera should die for the brutal killing of Army Sgt. Marni Glista.

The Rivera Trial

Immediately after the 12 jurors were asked if that was their individual verdicts, and they responded yes, Judge Albert M. Pickett officially imposed the death sentence and set Mr. Rivera's execution date for between March 3 and 9.

An appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court is automatic.

Given one last chance to make a statement before Judge Pickett imposed the sentence, Mr. Rivera - who had repeatedly given long speeches during the three-week trial - had one short statement.

"I'm sorry."

For the families of Sgt. Glista and the other three women Mr. Rivera confessed to killing, Monday night's verdict was an emotional release.

"I've waited for 3 1/2 years for this and I am just so thankful that the jurors saw to it to bring justice," said Gloria Perius, Sgt. Glista's mother who traveled from Seattle to attend the trial with her sister, daughter and husband.

To sentence Mr. Rivera to death, jurors must find prosecutors have proven beyond a reasonable doubt at least one of three aggravating circumstances: that Mr. Rivera caused Sgt. Glista's death in conjunction with her rape; that Mr. Rivera murdered Sgt. Glista while committing aggravated battery; and Sgt. Glista's slaying was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman. The jurors found all three.

Mr. Rivera admitted to killing Sgt. Glista in September 2000; Tabitha Bosdell, 17, on June 29, 2000; Tiffaney S. Wilson, 17, on Dec. 4, 1999; and Melissa Dingess, 17, on July 17, 1999, and the sexual assault of Chrisilee Barton that nearly proved fatal Oct. 10, 2000.

--From the Tuesday, January 27, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle