Golden Sun eXtra Your Local News Source, Mohave County, AZ

After several hours of deliberation Friday afternoon and into Monday, the jury's verdict had to be unanimous, and it was. The jury that convicted Brad Nelson, 39, of killing his niece has recommended that the man be put to death.

Nelson was charged with beating Amber Graff, 14, to death while she slept in a bed at a motel in June 2006. Nelson was watching the teen and her brother, 13, while their mother, Nelson's sister, was hospitalized. The mother was due to be released the day her daughter was killed.

Only one person on the jury needs to object to death.

Lee Novak, one of Nelson's attorneys, said the defense intends to draft a written motion for a mistrial based on what Novak called an inflammatory closing argument made by the prosecution following the closing of the sentencing portion of the trial Friday.

Nelson was found guilty of premeditated murder November 19 after the jury deliberated for less than an hour. Evidence at trial pointed to the fact that Nelson was in love with the girl but no motive for her murder was ever provided.

As is standard procedure in all death penalty convictions, Nelson's case will be granted an automatic appeal before a judge with the state Supreme Court in Phoenix.

Nelson is now the 9th convict from Mohave County to sit on death row.

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