BEAUFORT — A judge sentenced a man to death Wednesday for gunning down two Beaufort County deputies in his Burton mobile home last year.

The jury deliberated about 35 minutes before recommending Abdiyyah ben Alkebulanyahh, 41, die for the crime. Earlier, the defendant apologized to the families of the victims because their loved ones died in his home.

Alkebulanyahh, who had served as his own attorney during the first part of the trial, stood stoically, hands clasped in front of him, as the verdict was read. Then he stared intently at each juror as they were asked by the court clerk whether it was their verdict. Several jurors sobbed.

The same jury convicted Alkebulanyahh on Monday of murder in the deaths of Cpl. Dyke “A.J.” Coursen, 35, and Lance Cpl. Dana Lyle Tate, 44. The officers were answering a domestic disturbance call Jan. 8, 2002, when they were shot with an assault rifle at Alkebulanyahh’s home.

Circuit Judge Daniel Pieper removed Alkebulanyahh from the courtroom Tuesday after three outbursts as the sentencing hearing got under way and let two court-appointed lawyers handle his defense.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors called 28 witnesses, including the deputies’ friends and family members. The jury had to decide whether to recommend death or life in prison.

Marie Tate, the widow of the slain officer, testified.

“My husband was not just my husband,” she said. “Dana was my husband, my best friend, my lover, my soul mate. We spoke the same language.”

“It’s just been a nightmare,” said Thelma Tate, the dead officer’s mother. “It’s like we have been in a dream and want to wake up and know that Dana is there.”

In closing arguments, prosecutor Duffie Stone reminded jurors that Alkebulanyahh, formerly known as Tyree Roberts, had served years in jail for carjacking, armed robbery and drug offenses in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

“He’s already had life in prison,” Stone told jurors as he asked for the death penalty.

The shootings showed Alkebulanyahh was at war with civilization, Stone said. “He will always be at war. Your verdict speaks the truth. There is only one way to end this war.”

While the prosecution called dozens of witnesses, there were none for the defense during the sentencing phase.

Pieper asked several times if the defense planned to present evidence of mitigating circumstances, but Alkebulanyahh said he did not.

“I’ll just say that, for the last time, I do not think that is a wise decision,” the judge told Alkebulanyahh.

Alkebulanyahh offered a 15-minute statement on his own behalf, but he said he would not ask the jury for mercy. “I ask mercy from my God. That is where my spirit and courage come from,” he said. “I am not a malicious person.”

Turning toward the courtroom, he addressed the deputies’ widows.

“Mrs. Coursen, Mrs. Tate, I am sorry for what happened to your husbands in my home,” he said.