USA - California. A jury handed down the death penalty for Nathan Burris, 49, black.

A Contra Costa County jury handed down the death penalty for Nathan Burris, 49, black. Burris used a shotgun Aug. 11, 2009, to kill Deborah Ross, 51, who had decided to leave him after a 13-year relationship, and her friend Ersie "Chuckie" Everette, 58. Judge John W. Kennedy of Contra Costa County Superior Court set a sentencing date for Dec. 18.