Closing arguments set Mon. in Hilton case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Jurors in the Gary Michael Hilton murder case in Tallahassee will return Monday to continue hearing the penalty phase of the trial involving a murder similar to one that occurred in Dawson County three years ago.

Hilton is already serving a life sentence for the Dawson County murder of hiker Meredith Emerson in 2008.

Part of the defense against the death penalty has centered on Hilton's abusive childhood and his drug abuse.

In addition, Charles Josh Golden, a neurophysiologist, was among the defense witnesses, testifying that Hilton acted irrationally and could not obey the law because of a brain injury he suffered as a child, an emotional disorder, his use of Ritalin and other drugs, and sleep deprivation.

Under cross-examination, though, Golden said Hilton scored in the top 10 percent of the population with an IQ of 120.

Final arguments in the Florida case are scheduled Monday morning.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

Gary Michael Hilton in a Dawson Co. courtroom three years ago. (AP Photo)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/2/236319