In Santa Ana, Orange County Superior Court Judge Frank...

In Santa Ana, Orange County Superior Court Judge Frank Fasel sentenced Maurice Steskal to death for shooting and killing Orange County Deputy Brad Riches in 1999. Steskal, 44, was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances for firing 30 rounds from the rifle at the 34-year-old Riches. A jury recommended the death penalty in December. A previous jury deadlocked 11-1 two years ago against recommending the death sentence after Steskal's lawyer argued his client had a history of mental illness.