Killed deputies
Luis Basurto found guilty.
SACRAMENTO — A man in the United States illegally was convicted Friday of killing two Northern California deputies in a case that helped fuel the national immigration debate.
Luis Bracamontes was found guilty of murder in the shootings of Sacramento County sheriff’s Deputy Danny Oliver and Placer County sheriff’s Detective Michael Davis Jr. in 2014. He also was convicted of attempted murder, carjacking, weapons violations and other crimes.
“Yay,” he said softly after first verdict read, looking around at the victims’ families and jurors with a slight smile.
“I’m going to kill more cops soon,” Bracamontes said later as he was led away from the courtroom that had heavy security.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Bracamontes, who has repeatedly blurted out in court that he killed the deputies and wished he had killed more. The penalty phase of his trial starts March 5.
Defense attorneys, who declined to comment after the verdict, argued that Bracamontes was mentally ill and high on methamphetamine during the shootings and should be spared. A judge found Bracamontes competent to stand trial and he refused to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
Family members of the victims didn’t speak to reporters after the hearing.
Bracamontes is a Mexican citizen who repeatedly entered the United States illegally.
President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign aired a 30-second ad last month featuring Bracamontes and accusing Democrats of being “complicit” in the slayings of law enforcement officers by people in the U.S. illegally.