COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina officials have set a May 8 execution date for a man convicted of killing an Orangeburg police officer 16 years ago.
Prison officials say 34-year-old Thomas Ivey can choose electrocution or lethal injection.
Ivey was convicted of killing officer Thomas Harrison at the Prince of Orange Mall in January 1993. Authorities say Harrison was questioning Ivey's friend, who was trying to buy items with a stolen check, when Ivey shot the officer six times. Ivey was 18 at the time.
Defense attorney Robert Dudek says he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. He said one of Ivey's previous attorneys was inadequate and should have challenged assertions by prosecutors that Ivey would be treated well if sentenced to life in prison.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP 04-14-09 1308EDT
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