New Hampshire Jury Gives State's First Death Sentence in Half a Century to Cop Killer

MANCHESTER, N.H. – A jury has issued New Hampshire's first death sentence in a half century to Michael Addison, who fatally shot a Manchester police officer two years ago.

Jurors unanimously agreed that Addison deserves to die for purposely shooting Officer Michael Briggs to avoid being arrested.

The defense said Addison's tough childhood and possible brain damage from his mother's drinking while she was pregnant warranted a life sentence.

Addison had been on a crime spree before the 2006 shooting and had said he would "pop a cop" if necessary to avoid arrest.