Jury considers life or death in Hanlon case

Kim Smith

Monday, Sept. 11, 2000 | 10:54 a.m.

Prosecutors who were successful in getting Scott Bedard convicted of first-degree murder last week were to turn their attention this morning to persuading the jury to sentence him to death.

After deliberating all day Friday, jurors found Bedard, 34, guilty of killing Billy Hanlon Jr. in August 1997. Prosecutors had argued Bedard killed the cleaning service owner after he stumbled upon Bedard during a burglary.

The 33-year-old Hanlon, the son of former state Board of Education member Bill Hanlon Sr., was found at the Templeton Plaza on Rainbow Boulevard with a gunshot wound in his head Aug. 6, 1997.

Had the jury found Bedard guilty of something less than first-degree murder, District Judge Jeffrey Sobel would have been responsible for sentencing Bedard.

The finding of guilt of first-degree murder, however, now leaves the jury with the decision of whether Bedard will get a death sentence or a life sentence with or without the possibility of parole.

Sobel will sentence Bedard on grand larceny, robbery and burglary charges.

Authorities found footprint impressions left by Bedard's shoes at the scene along with DNA evidence and a single fingerprint left on a compact disc.

In addition, police found two laptop computers and what turned out to be the murder weapon at the home of Bedard's girlfriend's mother.

During the penalty phase of the trial, prosecutors David Schartz and David Barker were expected to put police officers on the stand to testify about Bedard's past criminal record. Relatives of Hanlon will also take the stand.