Speed v. State

Fletcher, Presiding Justice.

A jury convicted Norris Speed of malice murder in the shooting death of Atlanta Police Officer Niles Johantgen, and Speed was sentenced to death. The jury found as aggravating circumstances that the murder was committed against a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his official duties 2 and that the murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with, or preventing a lawful arrest of the defendant or another. 3 Speed challenges the trial court’s in-camera conversation with a prospective juror, its evidentiary ruling limiting the defense…