Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer
Biden to seek Death Penalty in Murder of Georgetown Police Officer
GEORGETOWN, Del.- Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden announced Tuesday that he will seek the death penalty against the man accused of fatally shooting Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer in September 2009.
Derrick Powell, 22, of Cumberland, Md., faces first-degree murder and other charges in connection with Spicer's death. Spicer was shot and killed while responding to a police call on Sept. 1, 2009. Fellow Georgetown police officer Cpl. Shawn Brittingham was injured in the shooting.
"Seeking the death penalty is one of the most important decisions an Attorney General makes," Biden said in a statement. "Today, I am announcing that we are seeking the death penalty for the murder of Officer Chad Spicer. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Officer Spicer's family, the Georgetown community, and law enforcement throughout the state of Delaware who were all deeply affected by Officer Spicer's murder."
Biden's office has notified Powell's attorneys of his decision. Prosecutors have been pursuing the case against Powell as a capital-eligible murder case since his arrest.
Powell was arrested the day of the shooting. A Sussex County grand jury indicted him on first-degree murder and other charges on Nov. 23, 2009. The trial is scheduled to get under way in Sussex County Superior Court on Oct. 11, 2010.
http://www.wboc.com/global/story.asp?s=12727823
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