Jury recommends death penalty for man who killed two in Cape Coral

A jury has recommended the death penalty for Joseph Zieler, the man who killed two girls in a Cape Coral home 33 years ago. This recommendation comes on day two of the penalty phase in Zieler's trial. Because of a new law, only eight jurors, rather than 12, are needed to recommend the death penalty. In this case, 10 jurors voted in favor of a death penalty recommendation while two recommended at least 25 years in prison. However, the judge is still in charge of sentencing Zieler. Judge Robert Branning must put heavy weight on the jury's recommendation. He can also sentence Zieler to at least 25 years in prison with the possibility of parole.