Jury recommends death in Delaware police killing

GEORGETOWN, Del. (AP) — A jury that convicted a man of murder in the shooting of a Delaware police officer has recommended that the defendant be sentenced to death.

The jury deliberated for more than two hours today before announcing a 7-5 decision recommending 24-year-old Derrick Powell of Cumberland, Md., be executed for the 2009 shooting.

Patrolman Chad Spicer was shot in a police cruiser after the pursuit of a car carrying Powell and two other men. Authorities say the pursuit began after Powell shot at a drug dealer he was trying to rob outside a fast food restaurant.

Defense attorneys argued that Powell should be spared the death penalty because he is brain-damaged and the victim of chronic child abuse.

A judge is scheduled to sentence Powell on May 20.