Ex Louisiana officer sentenced to death

A former New Orleans policeman is sentenced to death for a second time after ordering the murder of a woman who filed a brutality complaint against him.

Len Davis was convicted in 1996 for killing of Kim Groves. His initial death sentence was thrown out on appeal. Earlier this year, a jury sentenced him to death for a second time.

U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan handed down Davis' sentence on Wednesday in Baton Rouge, where New Orleans federal courts moved after Hurricane Katrina.

Prosecutor Jim Letten released a statement saying, "This case involved the murder of a citizen for filing a complaint against a police officer. Two juries have said loudly and clearly that this behavior will not be tolerated and will be punished in the most severe manner."

Davis acted as his own lawyer in the re-sentencing trial. He reportedly argued he was trying to catch Groves in a drug deal when she was killed coincidentally. He also claims he was suffering from job stress.

According to the AP at the time of Groves' murder in October 1994, Davis was the subject of an FBI drug sting that included a tap on his telephone. His call to a convicted hitman was recorded.

Including Davis, eleven police officers were convicted in the drug sting.

V.Y.