Jury Convicts N.C. Trooper's Killer, Who Could Face Death
Because he stole the trooper's weapon, Edward Wong could face the death penalty under North Carolina's felony murder rule that allows it for anyone who kills someone during a robbery.
A jury has convicted Edward Wong of first-degree murder in the death of North Carolina State Trooper David Blanton, the Asheville Citizen-Times reports.
The defense unsuccessfully argued that Wong doesn't make rational decisions due to a brain injury.
Blanton had pulled Wong over along I-40 near Canton. The trooper was fatally shot during a struggle with Wong, who took Blanton's duty weapon and fled the scene.
The trooper's dashboard footage was the key piece of evidence in the case. The front-mounted camera captured the sound of the shooting, which happened between the passenger side of the cruiser and the guard rail. Blanton can be heard screaming and pleading with Wong not to shoot again because he has a new baby.
The recording captured Wong walking calmly back to his vehicle and driving away while Blanton moans.
Because he stole the trooper's weapon, Wong could face the death penalty under North Carolina's felony murder rule that allows it for anyone who kills someone during a robbery.
Trooper Blanton had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for two years.
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