CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—A prosecutor has filed notice that he is seeking the death penalty in the fatal shooting of a Chattanooga police officer.
District Attorney Bill Cox filed the notice Wednesday in the case against Colorado fugitive Jesse Mathews. An arraignment hearing is set Friday.
Mathews is charged in the April 2 slaying of police Sgt. Tim Chapin as officers responded to a robbery alarm at a pawn shop.
The death penalty notice says Mathews is a convicted felon and knew he was shooting at a law enforcement officer.
Federal charges related to the case have been brought against Mathews’ father, mother and sister and a family acquaintance. They have pleaded not guilty to charges that include assisting him as a fugitive. Their trial is set July 5 in Chattanooga.
