Defense asks jurors to show Lam Luong mercy

Click here for complete coverage of Lam Luong’s trial from media partner WKRG.

2:45 p.m.
- Luong decided not to testify during the penalty phase.
- Testimony is over.
- Both sides will now present their closing arguments before the jury decides whether to sentence Luong to the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

1:50 p.m.
- A psychiatrist for the defense describes Lam Luong as having “major depression disorder”
- The doctor also says Luong had a mental breakdown and “cracked.“ He says Luong’s drug problem magnified his condition.
- According to the psychiatrist, Luong had reached the point of critical depression after losing his job, having no money and fighting with his wife.

11:55 a.m.
- Jury took a lunch break. The penalty phase will resume at 12:45 p.m.

11:07 a.m.
- Jurors watched video of sand bags being thrown off the Dauphin Island Bridge. The lead detective in the case says it took just three seconds for each child hit to fall 85 feet. Their bodies were travelling 25 mph when they hit the water.
- The state has now rested its case in the penalty phase.
- The defense will now try to convince the jury to sentence Luong to life in prison without parole. They’re calling two of Luong’s cousins to testify about his rough childhood. A psychiatrist will then be asked about Luong’s drug addictions and depression.

10:10 a.m.
Lam Luong’s attorneys did not present a single witness during his capital murder trial. But they’re fighting for his life Friday during the penalty phase.

It took the jury less than 45 minutes Thursday to convict Luong on all five counts of capital murder for throwing his children off the Dauphin Island Bridge last year. Now they must decide whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Judge Charles Graddick is not bound by the jury’s recommendation.

The defense has brought in a family member who moved from Vietnam to the United States with Luong in 1984. They will testify, along with an Asian psychiatrist, that Luong was addicted to drugs and depressed during the time of the crime. Attorneys said while nothing will excuse what happened, they’re asking jurors to have mercy on Luong.

The prosecution is calling several witnesses to testify, including the children’s mother, grandmother and aunt.

The grandmother and aunt shared personal stories about the children. Ryan loved Scooby Doo and music and told Grandma he loved her all the time.
Hannah liked to have her finger and toe nails painted and was a tattle tale. She used to walk around in mom’s heels.
Lindsey liked to play by herself and always shared her food.
Danny was only 4 months old when he was killed. Everyone was still getting to know him.