Man Convicted Of Killing NJ Officer In His Cruiser

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey man has been convicted of killing a police officer who was shot to death as he sat behind the wheel of his police cruiser last year.

A jury found 20-year-old Jahmell Crockam (Juh-MEHL' CROCK'-um) guilty Thursday of murder and weapons offenses in the January 2011 shooting death of Lakewood Patrolman Christopher Matlosz (MATT-lohs).

Crockam, who also is awaiting trial for another, unrelated murder that took place a few months before the officer was killed, could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors say Crockam thought he was about to be arrested on outstanding warrants for weapons offenses, and killed the officer to avoid going to jail.

Crockam's lawyer maintained police arrested the wrong man.