DENVER -- Sir Mario Owens' mother told the jury deciding whether his son should be executed that he came from a loving close-knit family.

The defense began presenting its case Wednesday as to why he should be sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Javad Marshall Fields and Vivian Wolfe.

While Owens' mother has so far talked about a happy home life, a psychologist also said he had a heavy exposure to crime, violence and drugs.

Owens' mother will continue her testimony Thursday.

The Centennial jury hearing the penalty phase of a convicted killer's trial found aggravating circumstances exist in the case, and the defendant is eligible for the death penalty.

Jurors deliberated about two hours Tuesday before deciding that Owens' case met all five of the aggravating factors necessary for Owens to be eligible for execution. If the jury had not found aggravating factors, Owens would have automatically been sentenced to life in prison.