Jury Weighs Possible Death Penalty

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- A federal jury in Springfield, Missouri, is considering whether to sentence a gang leader from Tulsa to death for murder.<br/><br/>Thomas "Mad Dog" Smith was convicted last week

Thursday, February 15th 2007, 9:29 am

By: News On 6

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- A federal jury in Springfield, Missouri, is considering whether to sentence a gang leader from Tulsa to death for murder.

Thomas "Mad Dog" Smith was convicted last week of killing two people in Joplin and prosecutors are arguing for the death penalty.

Prosecutor Randy Eggert told the jury Wednesday that Smith assaulted two inmates while awaiting trial and would remain dangerous even if he's given life in prison.

Defense attorneys arguing for a life sentence say Smith is a human being who suffered a troubled childhood.

Prosecutors say he killed Paris Harbin and Chandy Plumb in a Joplin apartment over stolen drugs and money.