FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) ? They filled nearly every seat of an Arizona courtroom ? friends, family and colleagues of a Utah deputy killed in 2010 ? to tell the judge about a selfless man, their "go-to guy" whose death has left a void in their hearts.
They pleaded for a sentence that would ensure that Scott Curley, who acknowledged fatally shooting Kane County Deputy Brian Harris with an assault rifle, never would get an opportunity to kill again.
"This man has caused lots of grief for his family and our family," said Harris' mother, Bonnie.
Coconino County Superior Court Judge Mark Moran did not immediately hand down a punishment Friday, saying he would do so on Nov. 20, after reviewing the evidence and testimony from a two-day sentencing hearing. Curley faces up to life in prison on the murder charge alone. He also pleaded guilty to stealing the rifle from his childhood friend, holding a school custodian at gunpoint and a burglary charge.
Earlier Friday, the prosecution and defense sparred over whether Curley's actions were those of a man who knew exactly what he was doing and took steps to cover his tracks, or whether they were the result of delusional beliefs.
Prosecutor Jonathan Moser used the testimony of two men who evaluated Curley to show that he is highly intelligent and, despite a mental illness, strategized the crimes and was able to evade authorities for four days following the shooting along the Arizona-Utah border.
Moser argued that Curley would remain a danger to society because he said in video clips played during the hearing that the only thing he regretted was getting caught and that he would kill again.
"He's thinking all the time as he's going through these decisions points during this whole event," said forensic neuropsychologist James Sullivan, who evaluated Curley in March. "It's not the result of some disorganized, psychotic behavior. It's extremely organized and goal oriented."
Defense attorney Brad Bransky said Curley's crimes were part of a complex delusional belief system in which Curley had to kill several people, possibly even friends, to fulfill a mission. He saw police officers as vigilantes or bounty hunters that were a threat to that mission, Bransky said.
Defense expert and psychiatrist Hannah Schercer said the delusional beliefs intensified when Curley was agitated or anxious.
"It may not, particularly within an intelligent person who has fairly good basic language, be as evident unless one is stressed," she said. "It's not something the individual realizes they have."
Authorities said Curley waited to ambush Harris, 41, though Curley said he simply was resting behind a tree. When he saw Harris approaching, he placed the crosshairs of the high-powered scope rifle on Harris and waited for him.
"It was my intent to kill, to eliminate a threat," Curley said in a video played in court Friday.
Those gathered in the courtroom in support of Harris said he didn't deserve to die.
They lamented the loss of a welder, a construction consultant, a "beautiful servant," a best friend, a man who gracefully could move his wife across the dance floor, and a father who never hesitated to show his daughters how much he loved them.
"We will never in this lifetime get over this shock, not just to our family but to everyone who knew Deputy Brian Harris," said his father, Bruce. "No, we'll never get over it. We'll cry a lot about it and deal with it."
Toni Tisi, who raised Curley, apologized for his son's actions.
He said Curley has been troubled by an addiction to alcohol and a mental illness for which he had not properly been treated.
His mother, Daisy, threw her hands up in what looked like a sign of frustration and told the judge: "Perhaps, somehow you can help."
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