Local : Valley Jury Asks Death for Soviet Deserter in Murder of Woman

After nine days of intense deliberations, jurors this morning recommended that a Soviet Army deserter die in the gas chamber for murdering an Estonian activist who took him into her North Hollywood home.

Tauno Waidla, 23, showed no expression as the court clerk read the jury’s recommendation. Waidla, who was hailed as a hero after his defection to the United States, was found guilty last month of killing Viivi Piirisild, 52.

Because Waidla killed Piirisild while burglarizing her house, jurors had only two choices in sentencing: life in prison or death. San Fernando Superior Court Judge Howard J. Schwab will decide Feb. 13 if the sentence is appropriate.

Jurors interviewed outside the courtroom said they agonized over their decision. Last week, jurors had announced that they were deadlocked, but Schwab ordered them to resume deliberations.

“This is a hardened criminal,” juror Joyce Gorstein said of Waidla. “He knew in his heart what he was doing.”

Waidla’s attorney, Martin Gladstein, said he is disappointed with the jury’s decision because he does not believe the case warrants the death penalty.