Man given life sentence for 2004 killing of deputy
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A 45-year-old man will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy and wounding another, a federal jury ruled Wednesday.
Kenneth Wilk, 45, was found guilty of first-degree murder, second degree-attempted murder, child pornography and obstruction of justice last week. He could have received the death penalty.
"We were very pleased with the rejection of the death penalty," Wilk's attorney, Bill Matthewman, said.
Messages left with the United States Attorney's Office were not immediately returned Wednesday evening.
The jury rejected claims that Wilk suffered from AIDS-related dementia when he shot the deputies. Wilk testified that he thought the deputies were intruders.
Deputy Todd Fatta was fatally shot in 2004 while serving a warrant to Wilk on child pornography charges. Wilk used a high-powered hunting rifle with a bullet that pierced the officer's protective vest. A second deputy was shot in the hand.
Fatta's mother left the courtroom in tears. The deputy's family said they were disappointed with the sentence.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
