Bank Robber Faces Possible Death Penalty

An Ohio man who robbed a bank and killed an undercover officer is now facing eight criminal charges, including two counts for murder. Daryl Lawrence could become the first defendant from Ohio on federal death row.

After successfully executing three bank robberies, Lawrence decided to return to a bank that he had already robbed a year earlier. Confident that the bank's security had not changed, he decided to attempt another armed robbery.

What had changed, though, was the hiring of special-duty officers. One undercover officer who was in the bank lobby during the robbery attempt was Bryan Hurst. Hurst had taken the job for extra income.

Lawrence recalled that he walked into the bank that day with the hood of his sweatshirt up, pulled a mask over his face, and held a silver pistol. As he entered the bank, two people approached him, and he ordered them back. Lawrence ran to the counter and saw Hurst. Lawrence repeatedly fired at Hurst who fired back, striking Lawrence in the hand. Hurst was fatally shot.

Hurst is the first officer to be killed in Columbus while guarding a bank.

Jurors are being selected for the criminal trial, in which Lawrence is facing one count of causing death during a bank robbery and one count of causing death during a violent crime. He is also charged with additional criminal offenses. The jurors will hear testimony, see evidence, and decide if Lawrence is guilty of all eight charges.

Included in the trial will be DNA evidence that could prove Lawrence was the shooter. Also, witnesses will testify that Lawrence was cooperative after the shooting. He apologized three times to officers and told them where the journal was kept in which he wrote about the shooting. If the jury finds that Lawrence is guilty of the two charges of causing death, the best that he can hope for is life in prison without any chance of release. Lawrence's criminal defense attorneys are hoping that the evidence they present will help spare him the death penalty.

While this violent crime is a first in Columbus, the murder of officer Hurst has not changed the security measures of banks in that area.