Thread: Jury convict man accused of killing a police officer

http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/2006 ... S/60915002

Jury convict man accused of killing a police officer


The Associated Press
September 15, 2006

DENVER — A man accused of killing an off-duty police detective and wounding another was convicted Friday of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

Raul Gomez-Garcia, 21, had been charged with second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and assault in the May 2005 death of Donald “Donnie” Young. His partner, Detective John “Jack” Bishop, was wounded.

Gomez-Garcia, an illegal immigrant, took the stand in his own defense during trial and told jurors he didn’t intend to kill the officers. He said he fired after Young grabbed him by the neck and arm to stop him from re-entering an invitation-only baptismal party where Young and Bishop were working.

Bishop was wearing a bulletproof vest, but Young was not.

Gomez-Garcia was arrested in Mexico about a month after the slaying following a multistate manhunt.

The Mexican government does not return suspects to the U.S. if they face the death penalty, but Denver prosecutors agreed to not file a first-degree murder charge that could have led to a death sentence.

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