SEAN BOLTON:
Prosecutors list aggravating factors in decision
Prosecutors will seek death penalty in trial of suspect accused of killing officer.
Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty in the case of the man accused of killing Memphis police officer Sean Bolton last year.
Tremaine Wilbourn was arraigned in Criminal Court on Monday, and the state f i led notice that it intends to seek the death penalty, according to documents in the case.
The state listed three aggravating factors in the decision: the victim was an on-duty police officer; Wilbourn has a felony conviction for a prior crime of violence, in this case a federal bank robbery in 2005; and the killing was committed to avoid arrest.
The tragedy began Aug. 1 in the Parkway Village area when Bolton, who would have turned 34 the week after the shooting, pulled in front of a red 2002 Mercedes-Benz that was stopped on the side of the street. Bolton got out of his cruiser and approached the car, police said, but the passenger got out and a struggle ensued.
Police say Wilbourn pulled out a gun and fired at Bolton at close range. An autopsy report showed that Bolton was hit eight times. Police later found drug paraphernalia as well as 1.7 grams of marijuana in the Mercedes.
A ma n who lives in the neighborhood picked up Bolton’s pol ice rad io and called dispatchers for help. Bolton was rushed to the Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where the autopsy report shows doctors spent an hour trying to revive him, but could not.
After a massive manhunt, Wilbourn surrendered two days after the killing. Officials have charged Wilbourn, 30, with first-degree murder in Bolton’s death.
Although Wilbourn was officially being held on a $10 million bond, a judge revoked that potential bond Monday in light of the death-penalty filing. Wilbourn is due back in court March 7.