SAN ANTONIO — A Texas man convicted of capital murder in the death of a San Antonio police officer in 2016 was sentenced to death Friday night.
Jurors deliberated for about 7 1/2 hours before determining the punishment for Otis Tyrone McKane, KSAT reported. It is the first death penalty issued in Bexar County in five years, according to the television station.
McKane was convicted for fatally shooting Detective Benjamin Marconi, 50, twice in the head after approaching a parked patrol vehicle, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The 20-year veteran of the police force was writing a traffic citation on Nov. 20, 2016, outside Public Safety Headquarters in downtown San Antonio. Marconi was working an overtime shift when he was killed, the newspaper reported.
As the sentence was read, there were at least seven bailiffs in sight near the doorway, KENS-TV reported. That was a precaution taken after an incident on July 26, when McKane learned of his conviction. McKane lashed out at Deputy Isidro Gonzalez, who was acting as the court’s bailiff and was attempting to handcuff the prisoner, elbowing him in the jaw.
McKane’s original trial lasted 11 days over a three-week period, KSAT reported. Prosecutors called 55 witnesses, while the defense called one, the television station reported. The punishment phase lasted seven days, with the prosecution presenting 15 witnesses and the defense calling six, according to the television station.
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McKane showed no reaction to the sentence as he was handcuffed Friday night, the Express-News reported. McKane’s mother, Sandra McKane, sitting with two of her adult children and a family friend, covered her face and wept. The four left the room, embracing, according to the newspaper.
In a statement, Marconi’s family thanked the district attorney, Judge Ron Langel, city and country officials, law enforcement officials and the fallen officer.
“Thank you to the many friends and family who attended the trial,” the family said. “We are deeply humbled for the amount of love, prayer, and grace we felt through each and every one of you.
“And finally, to Detective Benjamin Edward Marconi: thank you for making our lives better, and the lives of everyone you touched. You are eternally missed and we will never forget you,” the family said. “Rest easy, sweet Ben.”