Death penalty arguments to begin for convicted killer of 3

FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2013, file photo, Michael Madison looks toward the prosecuting attorney during a pretrial hearing, in Cleveland. A jury is set to begin hearing arguments on whether Madison, convicted of murdering three women in the Cleveland area whose bodies were found wrapped in garbage bags, should receive the death penalty. Attorneys for Madison will make arguments Thursday, May 12, 2016, in a Cleveland courtroom for sparing his life. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File) (The Associated Press)

CLEVELAND – A jury is set to begin hearing arguments on whether a man convicted of murdering three women in the Cleveland area whose bodies were found wrapped in garbage bags should receive the death penalty.

Attorneys for Michael Madison will make arguments Thursday in a Cleveland courtroom for sparing his life.

The defendant's troubled background, which includes reports of childhood beatings and malnourishment, likely will take front and center.

The 38-year-old Madison was convicted last week of aggravated murder and kidnapping.

Prosecutors say he deserves to die for killing the three women, whose bodies were found in July 2013 near the East Cleveland apartment building where he lived.

Authorities say Madison confessed to killing two of the women after his arrest, but couldn't recall having killed the third.