Closing arguments are expected Tuesday in a Philadelphia hearing to determine whether a man convicted of shooting a police officer to death last year deserves capital punishment or life in prison without parole.
Thirty-five-year-old Rasheed Scrugs pleaded guilty last month to first-degree murder in the February 2009 death of 25-year-old officer John Pawlowski. He was the last of seven city officers slain in the line of duty over a period of less than three years.
On Monday, Scrugs' mother asked the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court jury to spare his life for the sake of his four children.
Annah Abdul-Ghaffar said her son could still exert a positive influence on them.
The Philadelphia Inquirer says the judge has told jurors to expect closing arguments Tuesday.
