In Santa Ana, Orange County, a jury recommended the...

In Santa Ana, Orange County, a jury recommended the death penalty for a man who shot and killed a sheriff's deputy. Maurice Steskal, 44, was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances last year for firing 30 rounds from an assault rifle at Deputy Brad Riches, 34, in 1999. Superior Court Judge Frank Fasel is scheduled to sentence Steskal on Feb. 6. A previous jury deadlocked 11-1 last year against recommending the death sentence after Steskal's lawyer argued his client had a history of mental illness. A 2nd jury began deliberating in the penalty phase in October.