Have the usual suspects come out demanding compassion for this guy yet?
Not really. I haven't heard anyone except the guy's lawyer asking for any compassion. Bludgeoning the two little girls with a hammer is just evil beyond words. IMHO, the general feeling is that the guy should fry.
I have followed this story but until yesterday I hadn't heard the details of the actual murders. I was sickened to hear how he killed the family. Most of the news was focusing on the jury and how the defense was trying to get jurors who would sentence him to life in prison instead of the death penalty. The way it was portrayed in the reports I heard, the defense attorney had conceded a guilty verdict and was aiming for the penalty phase.