Closing Arguments Begin in Sentencing of Convicted Cop Killer

Last Edited: Monday, 19 May 2008, 1:28 PM CDT
Created: Monday, 19 May 2008, 11:06 AM CDT

Juan Leonardo Quintero-Perez FOX 26 News


Related Items
Videos


Stories
Jurors Convict Illegal Immigrant of HPD Officer's Murder
10 Jurors Chosen in HPD Officer's Capital Murder Trial



HOUSTON -- Harris County jurors are preparing to decide the punishment for an undocumented immigrant accused of killing a Houston officer in 2006.

Juan Leonardo Quintero-Perez, 34, was convicted May 8 of killing Officer Rodney Johnson after he was stopped for a traffic violation in September 2006.

Closing arguments began Monday in the case and jurors will decide whether Quintero is sentenced to death by lethal injection or life without parole.

Attorneys for Quintero argued that he was guilty of the capital murder of Johnson by reason of insanity.

Before the trial had begun, Quintero was prepared to plead guilty to killing Johnson in exchange for a sentence of life in prison, but prosecutors pressed for the jury to have the option of sentencing Quintero to the death penalty.

Quintero showed no emotion as his verdict was read May 8.

The sentencing phase of the trial started May 13.

Perez fatally shot Johnson four times in the head as he was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the officer's patrol car, according to investigators.

The shooting took place on the 9300 block of Randolph Street in southeast Houston on Sept. 21, 2006. Johnson took Quintero into custody for driving without a license.



http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages ... geId=3.2.1