Monday marked opening statements and the first day of testimony in the Zephen Xaver sentencing. Xaver has already pled guilty in the 2019 deaths of five women inside a SunTrust Bank branch in Sebring, so this hearing is not about guilt. Judge Angela Cowden reminded the jury their role is purely about sentencing, and whether Zephen Xaver should receive life in prison without parole or the death penalty. “The only issue before you here is to determine the appropriate penalty,” Judge Cowden said. The judge also explained how aggravating and mitigating factors heard during the hearing will shape their decision when it comes to sentencing Xaver. Xaver’s defense lawyers chose not to make an opening statement, but prosecutors did. They called Xaver, cold, cruel and calculated as he walked into the SunTrust Bank branch in Sebring — killing Jessica Montague, Deborah Cook, Mirasol Lopez, Cynthia Watson and Ana Pinon Williams. “They were mothers, wives, daughters,” Assistant State Attorney Bonde Johnson said. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/highlandscounty/sentencing-sebring-bank-killer-zephen-xaver/67-3114db70-d705-4c61-8d05-7e6482b93cc1 ►Subscribe: https://on.wtsp.com/youtube ►Website: https://www.wtsp.com/ ►Facebook: https://facebook.com/10TampaBay ►X: https://twitter.com/10TampaBay