14 June 2010 :

A Summit County jury has unanimously recommended the death sentence for Ashford Lamar Thompson for the July 13, 2008 shooting of police officer Joshua Miktarian, 33. Officer Miktarian had pulled Thompson over for loud music in the driveway of Thompson's home just before 2 a.m. Thompson, 26, black, never disputed he murdered Miktarian. The defense's strategy was to convince the jury there was no premeditation in the crime to try and spare his life. Common Pleas Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer scheduled Thompson's formal sentencing date for 10:30 a.m. June 23.