COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--A jury in Franklin County has decided to give Lincoln Rutledge a sentence of life in prison without the chance of parole for the shooting death of a Columbus Police officer.
Rutledge was found guilty last week for his role in the incident that killed SWAT Officer Steven M. Smith in April of 2016. The jury could have given Rutledge the death penalty, but were "deadlocked" on that decision, leading to the life without parole sentence.
The jury heard from Rutledge's mother, father, co-workers, and friends during the sentencing phase, with those witnesses called to the stand by the defense.
Rutledge will be formally sentenced in July.
(photo courtesy ABC-6)