MOUNT STERLING — A jury has convicted a Kentucky man accused of fatally shooting the small-town police chief who was taking him to jail in his squad car.
Jurors found 38-year-old Jamie Barnett guilty Wednesday of wanton murder in the June 2007 death of Clay City Police Chief Randy Lacy.
Lacy's killing shocked the town east of Louisville because he was known as an officer who treated everyone with respect: He even handcuffed familiar prisoners like Barnett in front rather than behind the back.
Officials say Lacy was shot point-blank in the back of his head with his own gun.
Prosecutors asked jurors to convict Barnett of intentional murder, which could have led to the death penalty.
Defense attorneys argued for lesser charges of wanton murder or manslaughter.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
