Penalty Phase Continues In Shreveport Cop-killer’s Trial

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Jurors who convicted a man this week in the 2010 killing of a Shreveport police officer have been struggling with the decision on what his sentence should be.

Twenty-six-year-old Christopher Cope was found guilty of first-degree murder on Tuesday. After more testimony in the penalty phase of the trial, jurors began deliberations on whether Cope should be sentenced to life in prison or execution.

On Thursday, the jury twice reported they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. They were scheduled to resume deliberations Friday.

Cope was convicted in the death of Sgt. Timothy Prunty, who had been with Shreveport police for 19 years.

If jurors cannot come to unanimous agreement on a penalty, Cope's sentence will be life in prison.