Sentencing today for Bart Wayne Johnson, man convicted of killing Pelham police officer Philip Davis
COLUMBIANA, Alabama --- A Shelby County judge today is scheduled to sentence a pharmacist convicted of killing a Pelham police officer during a 2009 traffic stop.
A jury, by a 10-2 vote last month, recommended that Bart Wayne Johnson receive the death penalty after finding him guilty on two counts of capital murder for the shooting death of Officer Philip Davis.
Retired Shelby County Circuit Judge D. Al Crowson will sentence Johnson. Crowson can accept or reject the jury's recommendation.
Evidence at Johnson's trial showed that Johnson shot Davis in the face around midnight after the officer pulled Johnson over on I-65 in Pelham and wrote him a speeding ticket. Johnson pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
A psychologist hired by the defense testified that Johnson had a brief psychotic episode at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors said Johnson had not complained of any mental illnesses in the past.
The sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m at the Shelby County Courthouse.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/06/...bart_wayn.html
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