April 29, 2008, 12:02AM
Tears flow as prosecutor details HPD officer's final moments

By BRIAN ROGERS
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Witnesses and spectators in the death penalty trial of Juan Leonardo Quintero had an emotional first day Monday, with at least three people crying on the stand and friends of HPD officer Rodney Johnson's sobbing throughout testimony.

Prosecutors told jurors the 34-year-old illegal immigrant is a "cold-blooded killer" for shooting the police officer in the back of the head after a traffic stop in 2006.

Defense attorneys agreed that Quintero shot Johnson but said brain damage caused the Mexican citizen to perceive a threat that wasn't there. Quintero pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in state District Judge Joan Campbell's court.

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