Prosecutors in Washington County said they will seek the death penalty if a Smithsburg man is convicted of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a police officer in December.
State's Attorney Charles Strong said he made the decision in consultation with Smithsburg Police Officer Christopher Nicholson's family.
Defendant Douglas Pryor, 29, also is charged with first-degree murder, accused of stabbing his former girlfriend Alison Munson to death before confronting Nicholson.
Strong said Pryor is eligible for the death penalty because Nicholson was a law-enforcement officer performing his duty, and because Pryor allegedly killed Nicholson while escaping or attempting to escape from lawful arrest
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