Mich. Cop Killer Gets Life, Claims Innocence

A defiant man convicted of fatally shooting a Taylor (Mich.) Police officer received a life sentence without parole eligibility, and took exception to claims that he committed a cowardly act.

Tyress Mathews, 37, made a militant, wide-ranging statement in court that included claims that he was not guilty, reports the Detroit News .

Mathews ambushed Cpl. Matthew Edwards, who was investigating an apartment burglary the morning of June 23, 2010. Mathews shot the officer in the head at point-blank range, and stood over him, firing more rounds.

Authorities traced the weapon to another police agency . It was stolen from a gym bag in 2008.