By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – The man convicted of killing three Birmingham police officers last year has been sentenced to death. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tommy Nail issued the sentence Friday. He did not follow the jury's recommendation, which was life without parole for Kerry Spencer. The judge says he chose the death penalty because the facts of the case warranted capital punishment. Alabama law allows a judge to override a jury's recommendation in certain cases. Nathaniel Woods also has been charged with killing officers Carlos Owen, Harley Chisholm the Third and Robert Bennett. His trial will begin next month.