Thursday, April 24, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Man who killed Reno officer sentenced

Larry Peck receives two consecutive life terms

RENO -- Jurors who took just three hours to convict Larry Peck of first-degree murder in the standoff slaying of Reno police Officer John Bohach needed the same amount of time to spare his life, but order that he spend the rest of it in prison.

As the sentence of two consecutive life terms with no possibility of parole was read Tuesday night, Peck showed no emotion. His attorney, however, did.

"It felt like an electric shock from my feet to the top of my head. It was amazing to know that people decided in favor of life," Kenneth McKenna said.

He had stressed in his final statement to the jury that while his client deserved justice, he did not deserve death.

"It must be reserved for the worst of the worst," he said. "You have to judge the whole person."

McKenna portrayed Peck as a man with redeeming qualities whose life was tormented by alcoholism.

Peck, 52, was found guilty last week of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Bohach, 35, who was gunned down Aug. 22, 2001, outside Peck's home during a five-hour siege. Peck holed up after fleeing from police who pulled him over after a night of drinking.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Karl Hall said Peck "got drunk and caused a wreck, he shot up the neighborhood and then he killed Officer Bohach. We're saying that the death penalty is appropriate in this place because the defendant killed a police officer because he did not want to be arrested."

McKenna, who argued as much against the death penalty as for his client, repeatedly said the jurors had meted out justice by finding Peck guilty, but would not be furthering justice by ordering his execution.

Bohach's widow, Linda, said she accepted the jury's decision.

"I went into it accepting. I think it was a hard call and I think they did what they think is right," she said.