USA - Virginia. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith imposed the federal death sentence on David Runyon

In Norfolk, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith imposed the death sentence on David Runyon. Under federal law regarding death cases, Smith had no choice but to impose the August 27, 2009 (see) jury's recommendation. Runyon, 38, white, a former U.S. Army soldier and police officer, has never admitted his role in the contract killing of Cory Allen Voss, 30. Runyon had been hired by Voss' wife, Catherina Voss, and her boyfriend, Michael Draven to perform the killing. Voss pleaded guilty in late 2008, getting four life terms plus 20 years. Draven, sentenced last month, got three life terms. Voss and Draven blew through that money in a matter of months, according to trial testimony. Prosecutors said Runyon never received the $20,000 contract killing fee. With Friday's sentence, Runyon became only the second man sentenced to death in the federal system in Hampton Roads since Congress reinstated the federal death penalty more than 20 years ago. A man sentenced in Norfolk in 1998 later had his sentence reduced to life.