In a notice filed with the court Friday, prosecutors said capital punishment would be warranted for several reasons, including that the victim was a police officer, the crime was committed during another felony and it created a grave risk of death to another person. Pennsylvania hasn’t executed anyone since 1999.
PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN MAULED TO DEATH WHILE FEEDING NEIGHBOR'S DOGS AS YOUNG SON LOOKS ON: POLICE
Authorities have said officers were called to a home over a dispute involving a man having a mental health crisis. When they caught up with Morris, he " suddenly produced a handgun " and fired, killing Officer Sean Sluganski, 32, and wounding another officer, authorities alleged.
A man from Pennsylvania is on trial for allegedly killing a police officer. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the officer's killing.
Wounded by return fire, Morris ran to a parking lot and sought help. A person putting a tourniquet on his leg reported seeing Morris pull a handgun and point it at a third approaching officer, sparking another exchange of gunfire, authorities said.
PHILADELPHIA MAN STABBED IN NECK, BACK NEAR TEMPLE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Detective Patrick Kinavey testified during a preliminary hearing last month that Morris said he didn’t remember firing at Sluganski and only did so after failing to scare the officers off. He shot at the third officer because he said he feared the officer was "out for blood," Kinavey said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has called on state lawmakers to repeal the death penalty and says he won't sign death warrants and will issue reprieves on scheduled executions, extending his predecessor's policies.
There are 101 people on death row in Pennsylvania. Since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976, only three people who dropped appeals have been executed.