A man charged in the slaying of a Colorado Springs police officer will not face the death penalty, in part because many of the officer’s relatives oppose capital punishment.
Jereme Lamberth, 31, is accused of gunning down Detective Jared Jensen after the officer recognized him at a convenience store on Feb. 22, 2006. Lamberth was being sought for allegedly trying to kill his sister. Authorities have said Jensen, 30, was trying to arrest Lamberth on a warrant for attempted murder when he was fatally shot in the head.
A filing Monday by the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office said the decision against seeking the death penalty took into consideration the feelings of Jensen’s relatives. Also, Lamberth scored 69 on an IQ test, District Attorney John New some said. Colorado law forbids the execution of the mentally retarded, which is defined as an IQ below 70.
