Maricopa County prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a Phoenix man accused of shooting two people to death outside a graduation party in May and wounding a Mesa police officer.

Brent Matthew Banks has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sally S. Johnson-Huddleston, 38, and Auston G. Blanks, 32.

In addition, he faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and seven felony counts of aggravated assault. Trial has been scheduled for Nov. 2, 2010.

Prosecutors believe aggravating circumstances are present to seek the death penalty after Banks told Mesa police investigators he killed Johnson-Huddleston and Blanks in a fit of jealousy.

Banks was invited to Johnson-Huddleston's home, his ex-girlfriend, to celebrate her daughter's high school graduation, court documents state.

Banks told investigators he was looking for their son at the party when he saw Johnson-Huddleston kissing Blanks.

Banks then asked Johnson-Huddleston to step outside, where he punched her in the face, court documents show.

Banks then reportedly walked to his truck and contemplated leaving, but returned with two loaded handguns.

Authorities said Banks shot Johnson-Huddleston in the back of the head as she knelt on her hands and knees. He then shot Blanks several times.

Banks shot multiple rounds at arriving police officers, striking Officer Steven Cervantes in the arm. The bullet shattered a bone in his arm, which has required numerous rounds of surgery.

Banks surrendered following a standoff with SWAT officers that lasted several hours.



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2009/08/25/20090825banks0825.html#ixzz1QcPJbicn