Updated

Defense attorneys for an Ohio man convicted of killing three women whose bodies were found wrapped in garbage bags say an upbringing that included "generations" of abuse left their client without a moral compass.

A Cleveland jury began hearing arguments Thursday on whether 38-year-old Michael Madison should receive the death penalty.

Madison was convicted last week of aggravated murder and kidnapping in the deaths of the women, whose bodies were found in July 2013 near the East Cleveland apartment building were Madison lived.

Prosecutors say Madison deserves to die.

Cleveland.com (http://bit.ly/23M845D ) reports defense attorneys told jurors Thursday that Madison's young, single mother was a heroin addict and a prostitute who rarely let him see other children and physically abused him.

A judge will decide Madison's fate if the jury recommends death.

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Information from: cleveland.com, http://www.cleveland.com