RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A man convicted of murdering a Southern California police officer with his own gun during a pursuit has been sentenced to death.
Authorities say 46-year-old Earl Ellis Green was sentenced Monday for the 2010 attack that killed Riverside police Officer Ryan Bonaminio, who had pulled him over while investigating a report of a hit-and-run accident involving a big rig.
The convicted felon had stolen the truck and the 27-year-old officer chased him into a park. The start of the foot chase was recorded by the officer's dashboard camera.
Authorities say that when the officer slipped and fell, Green beat him with a metal bar and shot him with his own gun.
Green was convicted of first-degree murder. The defense had asked for a second-degree murder conviction.