Jury to decide if Richard Poplawski, killer of 3 Pittsburgh cops, gets death penalty

(CBS/AP) PITTSBURGH - A defense attorney says there's "no excuse" for his client having killed three Pittsburgh police officers in 2009 but there may be a reason to sentence him to life in prison instead of the death penalty.

William Brennan told jurors Monday that 24-year-old Richard Poplawski was raised in an abusive home largely shaped by his grandfather. Brennan described Poplawski's grandfather as a violent, hateful man who fired guns when he was upset.

Brennan also told jurors they "reached the right verdict" Saturday when they found Poplawski guilty of three counts of first-degree murder.

Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Mark Tranquilli is seeking the death penalty.

Tranquilli says the crime meets three aggravating factors for execution: Poplawski targeted police, there were multiple deaths and others were subjected to grave danger.