The Trial of Richard Poplawski
2012-03-30 01:59:04
Share with others:
    The Stanton Heights man was accused of killing three Pittsburgh police officers who responded to a domestic dispute on April 4, 2009, during which he and his mother argued about a dog that had urinated in the house.
    After a weeklong trial that began June 20, 2011, a jury convicted Richard Poplawski on three counts of first-degree homicide and numerous other charges. Three days later, the same jury sentenced him to death.
Convicted killer Richard Poplawski is led out of court on June 28, 2011, after being sentenced to death.
THE DEFENSE
From left: Lisa Middleman (lead), Bill Brennan and Lisa Phillips
THE PROSECUTION
Mark Tranquilli (lead) and Lisa Pellegrini
THE JUDGE
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning
POST-TRIAL ACTIVITY
Richard Poplawski was sentenced to an additional 85 to 150 years for various other offenses related to the 2009 ambush of three police officers.
Richard Poplawski's motion says the jury shouldn't have been allowed to hear racial epithets, to know which websites he visited and that his confession shouldn't have been allowed as evidence.
THE PENALTY PHASE
In a hushed courtroom, Judge Jeffrey A. Manning instructed Richard Poplawski to stand before him. Manning then told Poplawski that he would be put to death for killing three Pittsburgh police officers.
Testimony failed to sway jury in penalty talks
PG video: Comments | Apology cut short
PG slideshow: Courthouse sceneRichard Poplawski showed his first hint of emotion when Shandra Mayhle described her daughters' struggles after their father's death.
Life term vs. death row: Like night and dayPG video: Penalty phase, Day OnePG slideshow: Evidence photosFirst Published June 19, 2011 12:00 am
