DALLAS, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The last of six Texas convicts who escaped from prison three years ago and murdered a police officer is facing a death sentence.
Patrick Murphy Jr., 42, was sentenced Thursday night for the murder of Irving officer Aubrey Hawkins during a robbery on Christmas Eve 2000. His death sentence will be automatically appealed under Texas law.
The five other surviving members of the so-called Texas Seven received death sentences in a series of separate trials since their capture in Colorado in 2001. The seventh escaped convict committed suicide when he was surrounded.
Murphy's lawyer argued during the trial that his client was only a lookout when Hawkins was killed outside a sporting goods store, and that he never fired a shot. He was serving a 50-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault when he joined in the escape.
Prosecutors said Murphy was aware when he took the post as a lookout that there might be violence and he showed no remorse after the death of Hawkins.
