Texas Cop Killer Gets Death Penalty

A jury has decided the punishment for the man convicted of killing a Bellaire, Texas, police officer and an innocent bystander. Harlem Lewis has been sentenced to death.

Closing arguments wrapped up Monday in the punishment phase for the 23-year-old who shot and killed Cpl. Jimmie Norman, 53, and Maaco shop owner Terry Taylor, 66, at the end of a police chase on Christmas Eve 2012.

Norman was a 24-year police veteran with the Bellaire Police Department. He attempted to pull over the car Lewis was driving after running a computer check on the license plate, and learning a warrant had been issued for insufficient insurance, the Houston Chronicle reports.

According to fellow Bellaire officer Sergio Salinas, Lewis led Norman on a chase through residential streets until side-swiping a truck. 

Lewis continued on in his damaged car for a few blocks before pulling into the parking lot of the Maaco body shop. Taylor knew Norman, and came out to try to assist him. As the officer was trying to pull Lewis from his car, Lewis shot him. He then aimed the gun at Taylor, shooting and killing him also.