Ariz. cop killer sentenced to death tells jury, "Good job"

PHOENIX - A jury unanimously decided on a death sentence Thursday for Bryan Hulsey, a man convicted of first-degree murder in the 2007 death of a Glendale, Ariz. police officer.

Hulsey stood and applauded when the verdict was read, saying, "Good job," twice, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joseph Kreamer also sentenced Hulsey to nine years in prison on one count of attempted first-degree murder to run consecutively with his death sentence. Kreamer said Hulsey would die by lethal injection, according to the station.

Hulsey, 40, was convicted of first-degree murder July 28 in the shooting death of 24-year-old Glendale police Officer Anthony "Tony" Holly during a 2007 traffic stop.

Hulsey was a passenger in a vehicle that had been pulled over for speeding and not having a license plate. Holly was there to serve as backup to another officer who made the stop.

Prosecutors say Hulsey got out and fired two shots, one of which hit Holly. The defense argued that Holly was unintentionally shot by the officer who pulled over the vehicle.

The jury reported its sentencing decision Thursday, the fourth day of deliberations in the penalty phase of Hulsey's trial in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Hulsey, who has 20 days to appeal the verdict, mouthed, "I'm sorry. I love you," to his mother and then motioned a kiss to her after the verdict, according to the station.

The jury on July 31 found aggravating circumstances existed in the trial, making Hulsey eligible for the death penalty, court officials said.