Murder During Escape Brings Death Sentence
From Times Wire Services
TEXAS
A man who escaped from a Texas prison with six fellow inmates was sentenced to death in Mount Vernon for his role in the slaying of a police officer during a robbery.
Prosecutors said Michael Rodriguez fired one of five weapons used to kill 29-year-old rookie officer Aubrey Hawkins, who was trying to stop the Christmas Eve 2000 robbery in Irving.
Defense attorneys had maintained that Rodriguez, 39, who was convicted last week, did not intend to kill anyone. They immediately filed a notice of appeal.
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