Astorga denies killing in death penalty trial

Michael Astorga, already convicted of murder

NewsNM Swickard - I thought we already established he did kill the deputy since he was found guilty by a jury of his peers. Is this jury nullification? From KOB-TV.com - SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A man convicted of murdering a Bernalillo County deputy and faces the death penalty has denied killing the deputy. Michael Astorga took the witness stand Wednesday in his own death penalty sentencing trial and said he did not kill Deputy James McGrane Jr., nor did McGrane stop him. Under cross examination by District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, Astorga continued to maintain his innocence. Jurors will be asked to sentence Astorga, who was convicted in the 2006 killing of McGrane, to life in prison or to death, even though New Mexico repealed the death penalty in 2009. Astorga is still eligible for the death penalty since the crime occurred before the repeal. read more

Astorga denies killing in death penalty trial