The same jury that convicted Christensen last month of kidnapping and murdering Chinese U of I scholar Yingying Zhang in 2017 will decide whether he should get the death penalty or life in prison.
Before deliberating, the jury heard differing portraits of Christensen. The defense described him as a man drowning in pain, and the prosecution called him a depraved killer.
In closing arguments, Federal Prosecutor James Nelson told the jury "the defendant didn't kill Yingying Zhang because he was drunk ... or depressed. The defendant killed Yingying Zhang for sport."
Nelson told the jury Christensen premeditated the crime, targeting Zhang because she was half his weight, as he held up a 6 ft. long, human-sized duffle bag. It was similar to one Christensen bought before the murder, which was never found. He said Christensen tortured Zhang before "destroying" her body.
"He disposed of her remains in a way in which they'll never be recovered," Nelson said.
Nelson also described how Christensen cleaned his car and home to cover up the crime. He said Christensen continued to use the mattress where Zhang's DNA was found in blood.
"The defendant continued to sleep on that mattress with his wife," Nelson said. "He continued to go on as if nothing happened."
In an effort to spare Christensen the death penalty, the defense brought context to the crime.
"We have stood with Brendt for almost two years. He is a whole person. He's not just the worst thing he's ever done," Defense Attorney Elisabeth Pollock tearfully said.
Pollock said the crime is Christensen's fault alone, but reminded the jury of his family's history of mental illness.
Before the murder, Christensen struggled with alcoholism and symptoms of depression. He unsuccessfully sought help.
"Does someone deserve to die who went into a counseling center, Pollock said.
Christensen's confession was recorded at Zhang's vigil, in which he described the murder in gruesome details. Pollock said he was not telling the truth.
"Brendt lied on that tape. He lied through his teeth. He was so twisted up at that time ... It was just theater," Pollock said.
In contrast, Zhang was described as vibrant and her family's heart.
Nelson said,"That's why Yingying fought so hard. She had so much to live for."
The jury met for deliberations for about two and a half hours Wednesday afternoon.They will resume deliberations at 9 a.m. Thursday.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
U of I killer Brendt Christensen was once a promising PhD student, colleagues testify
Brendt Christensen trial: Killer's father speaks during sentencing phase, prosecutors ask for death penalty
Jurors to begin considering death penalty in Chinese scholar killing
Guilt and looming death penalty, key question remains: Where is Yingying?
U of I killer Brendt Christensen would join exclusive federal death penalty fraternity
Brendt Christensen found guilty on all counts in Yingying Zhang murder trial
Brendt Christensen Trial: Ex-wife testifies about day U of I student disappeared
Ex-girlfriend of Brendt Christensen testifies at murder trial of Chinese scholar
Brendt Christensen U of I case turns on the footprint of a killer
Video from 2nd FBI interview played at Brendt Christensen trial
FBI agent testifies in University of Illinois murder trial
Defense admits Brendt Christensen killed Yingying Zhang at U of I
U of I murder trial about to open under witness cloud
Chinese student enrollment at U of I takes hit
Jury selection begins in case of dead Chinese scholar at U of I
Death penalty trial looms for accused killer of Chinese scholar at U of I
Feds reveal gory scene in apartment of accused Chinese scholar killer
Unusual new legal twist in U of I Chinese scholar murder
Sneaky Search? Accused Champaign killer claims feds secretly tossed jail cell
Accused killer at U of I tries to draw Trump, Chinese president into case
Feds plant two secret informants in U of I murder case
Family of missing U of I scholar returning to China
A Mystery at U of I
Family of Chinese U of I scholar pleads for help finding her body
Missing Chinese scholar's family asks for tips, reward $50K
Man charged with kidnapping U of I scholar denied bond
Man charged with kidnapping U of I scholar appears in court
Man charged in kidnapping of U of I scholar was surveilled before arrest
Champaign man arrested, charged with kidnapping missing U of I scholar
FBI locates car related to missing Chinese scholar case
Search continues for missing U of I scholar from China
Family of Chinese U of I scholar pleads for help finding her body
Visiting scholar missing from University of Illinois