A jury in Ohio has recommended the death penalty for a serial killer who hid the remains of 11 women at his home.

The jury in the city of Cleveland decided on the recommendation Wednesday, after deliberating for less than a day.

Anthony Sowell was convicted last month of murdering the 11 women whose decomposing bodies were uncovered in his house and yard in late 2009. He was also convicted of multiple counts of rape and kidnapping, and of the attempted murder of three women who survived.

During the penalty phase of the trial, Sowell said he was sorry, saying he knew it did not sound like much, but that it was “all that (he) can give.” He also said the crimes “were not typical” for him.

Sowell's defense lawyers argued he should receive life in prison because of he was abused as a child and had troubled mental state. But prosecutors contended Sowell was mentally capable and argued for the death penalty.

A judge will announce the official sentence Friday.

Sowell's victims were all African-American women — some had been missing for weeks or months before their bodies were found.

He had been released from prison in 2005 after serving 15 years for attempted rape.