Cop-Killer's Conviction Upheld; No Ruling on Death Sentence

The New Hampshire Supreme Court issued a ruling Wednesday upholding the murder conviction of Michael Addison, but said it needs more time before deciding whether he will be put to death.

"With respect to the issues raised by the defendant on appeal, we find no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the defendant’s conviction for capital murder," the 263-page ruling reads. "Furthermore, we conclude that the sentence of death was not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor, and that the evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s findings of aggravating circumstances."

However, the court said its review of Addison's sentence is not complete. It said that only after additional briefing and oral argument will it conclude its review of the sentence, at which time it will issue a further opinion.

Addison, 33, was convicted of capital murder in the 2006 shooting death of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs. He is the only person sentenced to death in New Hampshire since the state's capital murder law took effect in 1977.

State Rep. Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) has proposed a bill for the upcoming legislative session seeking to repeal the death penalty.

[To read the full court ruling, click here.]