State Rests Case In Joseph Alliniece Sentencing

State prosecutors rested their case Wednesday for Joseph Alliniece to receive the death penalty.

A jury convicted him of brutally murdering Brittani Young earlier this week.

The jury heard how Brittani's death forever changed the lives of her mom, and younger sister as they tearfully read their victim impact statements.

Brittani's sister Brandi began her statement saying, "the day she died, a piece of me went with her." 

Their mother said how the sight of her daughter's body haunts her to this day, and every time she looks at the floor, she sees her daughter laying there. They both talked about having nightmares, PTSD, and how counseling is now a regular part of their lives.

Prosecutors called Alliniece's aunt to the stand earlier in the day. The defendant lived with his aunt and cousin after getting out of prison in 2018. She said at first, living with the defendant went well, but things took a turn. 

His aunt said he began to get angry and would make harsh remarks towards her. She eventually asked him to leave after he threatened to "burn up" her and her granddaughter by starting a fire in the home. She did call police after that comment, and Alliniece left on his own. 

Before leaving the stand, his aunt said she still and will always love Alliniece.

Other witnesses were involved in previous violent crimes Alliniece had been convicted of in Texas. One was the responding officer to his first domestic violence conviction. The witness told the jury when he arrived, the victim's face was bloodied from a deep bite mark on her forehead. She told the officer Alliniece is the one who bit her. He was arrested minutes later and was sent to prison.

Another witness was a friend of an ex-girlfriend. She said she saw Alliniece attack her friend one day while they were walking down the street. She said he used his foot as a weapon.

"The jury heard about a previous incident from 2016 where the defendant located his girlfriend, pushed her down into the street and stomped on her head," explained District Attorney Greg Mashburn.

Alliniece's team will begin presenting their case Thursday.