The Death Penalty Is Still On The Table For Hollis Daniels

A former Texas Tech student charged with killing a campus police officer was back in court on Friday, Nov 22, 2019.

In October 2017, Hollis Daniels was only 19-year-old when he was taken into custody by Texas Tech Police for drug possession.

While being processed at the Texas Tech Police Department, Daniels shot and killed Officer Floyd East, Jr.

Related: A timeline of the shooting

After a campus lockdown and short manhunt, Daniels was arrested and charged with capital murder and has been in police custody awaiting trial on a $5 million dollar bond. He admitted to the crime.

Prosecutors in the case have said that they may seek the death penalty for Daniels. On Friday in court, however, Daniels' lawyers tried to argue that the death penalty is unconstitutional, but a judge denied the motion.

Related Story: Slain Texas Tech Police Officer Floyd East Jr. Buried At Sea off Florida Coast