06-06-2007, 01:06 AM
Wilk guilty of 7 counts in murder of BSO deputy, wounding of another
By Paula McMahon
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted June 5 2007, 4:40 PM EDT
FORT LAUDERDALE -- Jurors in a federal death penalty case convicted Kenneth Wilk on Tuesday of three capital counts in the murder of a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy and the wounding of another deputy almost three years ago.
The sentencing phase of the case will begin on Thursday in U.S. District Judge James Cohn's courtroom. Jurors will hear more evidence and decide whether Wilk should get the death penalty or life in prison without possibility of release. He had pleaded not guilty.
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Jurors rejected Wilk's insanity defense and his testimony that he thought intruders had broken into his Fort Lauderdale home and instead found him guilty of a total of seven counts, including a lesser charge of attempted second-degree murder.
Wilk, 45, was convicted of killing BSO Deputy Todd Fatta and attempted murder for wounding Lt. Angelo Cedeņo during an Aug. 19, 2004, raid on Wilk's Fort Lauderdale home. Fatta and Cedeņo were helping federal agents serve Wilk with warrants for child porn. Wilk later claimed he was suffering from AIDS-related dementia when the shooting occurred.
It was an emotional ending for the Fatta family, Cedeņo, BSO Sheriff Ken Jenne and dozens of deputies who crowded into or around the courtroom to hear the verdict.
The jury was in its fourth day of deliberations when it announced its decision Tuesday afternoon.
By Paula McMahon
Sun-Sentinel.com
Posted June 5 2007, 4:40 PM EDT
FORT LAUDERDALE -- Jurors in a federal death penalty case convicted Kenneth Wilk on Tuesday of three capital counts in the murder of a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy and the wounding of another deputy almost three years ago.
The sentencing phase of the case will begin on Thursday in U.S. District Judge James Cohn's courtroom. Jurors will hear more evidence and decide whether Wilk should get the death penalty or life in prison without possibility of release. He had pleaded not guilty.
LocalLinks
Jurors rejected Wilk's insanity defense and his testimony that he thought intruders had broken into his Fort Lauderdale home and instead found him guilty of a total of seven counts, including a lesser charge of attempted second-degree murder.
Wilk, 45, was convicted of killing BSO Deputy Todd Fatta and attempted murder for wounding Lt. Angelo Cedeņo during an Aug. 19, 2004, raid on Wilk's Fort Lauderdale home. Fatta and Cedeņo were helping federal agents serve Wilk with warrants for child porn. Wilk later claimed he was suffering from AIDS-related dementia when the shooting occurred.
It was an emotional ending for the Fatta family, Cedeņo, BSO Sheriff Ken Jenne and dozens of deputies who crowded into or around the courtroom to hear the verdict.
The jury was in its fourth day of deliberations when it announced its decision Tuesday afternoon.