Judge Overrides Jury To Hand Down Death Sentence BESSEMER AL (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - A Bessemer judge has gone against a jury recommendation in sentencing Demetrius Avery Jackson Jr. to death for the fatal shooting of Fairfield police officer Mary Smith.

Circuit Judge Teresa Petelos on Wednesday also sentenced the 23-year-old Jackson to life in prison for the attempted murder of Officer Erick Burpo.

A jury in January convicted Jackson of capital murder in Smith's Oct. 23, 2006 death. That same jury recommended that Jackson be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jackson showed no emotion as he stood before Petelos during sentencing. © Copyright 2021, APR - Alabama Public Radio