I have been following this news story for a while now. A man who lives in my city, Richard Poplawski, shot 3 police officers in the head when they responded to a domestic disturbance in his house in 2009. I always thought it was kind of amazing. He didn't hesitate; as the officers walked into his house BAM BAM BAM one right after the other. He is obviously hated by most people, but has also become like a folk hero. He is a white supremacist and is starting to get a following by other neo-nazis. I don't think anyone should kill anyone, of course, and Im certainly not a white supremacist...but I am still fascinated by this case.
Today he was just found guilty, and the penalty phase is started on monday. Not too many people are put to death in Pennsylvania, but I'm' sure he will be sentenced to death.
Here is a link the original crime, and part of the story.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/04/police-several-pa-officer_n_183130.html
PITTSBURGH — A gunman wearing a bulletproof vest and "lying in wait" opened fire on officers responding to a domestic disturbance call Saturday, killing three of them and turning a quiet Pittsburgh street into a battlefield, police said.
Police Chief Nate Harper said the motive for the shooting isn't clear, but friends said the gunman recently had been upset about losing his job and feared the Obama administration was poised to ban guns.
Richard Poplawski, 23, met officers at the doorway and shot two of them in the head immediately, Harper said. An officer who tried to help the two also was killed.
Poplawski, armed with an assault rifle and two other guns, then held police at bay for four hours as the fallen officers were left bleeding nearby, their colleagues unable to reach them, according to police and witnesses. More than 100 rounds were fired by the SWAT teams and Poplawski, Harper said.
and here is news on the trail.
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11177/1156390-53.stm
Poplawski guilty on all counts
Jury deliberates for four hours in case of 3 slain police officers