The Associated Press
EBENSBURG, Penn. (AP) -- A man who led police on a seven-mile chase before fatally shooting a state trooper last year was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday.
The jury deliberated for four days before convicting Mark Leach, 46, who had a blood alcohol level of .20 when he exchanged gunfire with police on Nov. 2, 2002, after a drunken driving stop.
The sentencing phase of the trial began following the verdict. Leach could receive the death penalty.
Trooper Joseph Sepp, a 10-year veteran, died from a gunshot wound to the head after the shootout in Ebensburg, about 70 miles from Pittsburgh.
Leach also was convicted of attempted homicide for shooting at Sepp’s partner, Trooper Brian Lampel, aggravated assault and fleeing police.
Prosecutors said Leach was belligerent and ignored police commands to drop his gun before he opened fire. But defense attorney Thomas Dickey told jurors that Leach was shot in the back when he got out of his Jeep and only returned fire to save his own life.