INDIANAPOLIS – A prosecutor filed court papers Tuesday seeking the death penalty against a man charged with murder in the killing of an Indianapolis police officer during a shootout in an alley.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry announced the move during a news conference. Major Davis Jr., 25, of Indianapolis could be sentenced to death if convicted in the July 5 death of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer Perry Renn, who was fatally shot with an assault rifle.
Curry said the city has had 22 incidents in the past 18 months in which police officers were shot at or struck by gunfire. Last September, another Indianapolis officer was shot and killed. Rod Bradway was ambushed by a gunman while responding to a woman's screams for help.
"It is clear that there are those in our city who believe our police officers are fair game. To those individuals, make no mistake, make no mistake, we will prosecute you to the maximum extent possible under the law," Curry said, pounding his fist on a podium and dislodging two television station microphones.
Davis' attorney could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Curry said there were two aggravating circumstances qualifying Davis for the death penalty: It was the shooting of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty and a shooting motivated by the officer's actions.
Curry said a review committee within his office considers whether the death penalty should be sought in eligible cases. Last month, Curry filed for the death penalty in the case of Kenneth Rackemann in connection with the February slayings of four people during a drug-related robbery.
A police spokesman released a statement from Renn's widow, Lynn Renn, thanking Curry and his office for their "careful consideration of all the facts before making this difficult decision."
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
