Man guilty in killing of retired policeman:The man said he mistook victim

[Judi Lynn]

Man guilty in killing of retired policeman

The man said he mistook victim for the Antichrist.

The Associated Press
Posted October 22 2005

PENSACOLA · A man with a history of mental illness has been convicted of murder after testifying he fatally shot a retired police officer because he thought the University of Alabama "A" on the victim's ball cap signified he was the Antichrist.

The jury also Thursday convicted Ryan Thomas Green, 22, of attempting to murder a second man and robbery with a firearm.

Jurors returned Friday to hear more testimony for a recommendation whether Green should be sentenced to death or life without parole, the only two options for the first-degree murder of retired Pensacola police Sgt. James Hallman, 59, who was shot while he was taking a walk.
(snip)

Green testified that he had set out to take his own life but that a talking bull, religious signs, colors and symbols influenced him to shoot Hallman and housepainter Christopher Phipps, who remains confined to a wheelchair.
(snip/...)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-fkiller22oct22,0,4364785.story?coll=sfla-news-florida

[bananas]

1. "They call Alabama the Crimson Tide, call me Deacon Blues"

- Steely Dan