Man Sentenced To 50 Years For Shooting Cop
Baylor Shot At Police Cruiser 21 Times

POSTED: 2:17 p.m. CDT September 3, 2004
UPDATED: 2:17 p.m. CDT September 3, 2004


Story by KSAT.com

SAN ANTONIO -- A jury sentenced a 30-year-old man Friday to 50 years in prison for shooting at a San Antonio police officer with an AK-47 during a convenience store robbery.


Jurors deliberated about four hours before deciding punishment for Roland Baylor, who was found guilty Thursday of attempted capital murder.

Baylor was on trial for firing a barrage of bullets at the patrol car of Officer John Wheeler moments after the lawman arrived at a Shell gasoline convenience store on the West Side.

Wheeler, who testified during the trial, suffered two gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors tried to persuade the jury to sentence Baylor to a maximum of life in prison by playing an audio tape of the gunfire. Wheeler's wife had to console the officer during the playback of the tape.

Wheeler returned to desk duty in late March.

Why would they not give this guy life in prison for shooting a police officer?

Quoted: Why would they not give this guy life in prison for shooting a police officer?

because he didnt die

Under the circumstances, it seems a little light.

why not let the officer shoot at him with an AK ?

I'd rather see laws like this, get passed then new AWB shit. Hopefully 50 years is a possible sentence for the shooting of a civvie with an 'assault weapon'.

Quoted: Why would they not give this guy life in prison for shooting a police officer?

Why would they not give the defendant life in prison for armed robbery and shooting anyone?

Would he have gotten a lighter sentence if he had used a Mini-14?

Quoted: Would he have gotten a lighter sentence if he had used a Mini-14?

Probubly not.

However, had he used a revolver, or pump shotgun, he may have gotten a lighter sentance in many states. Several states have pessed penalty enhancements for using a "semiautomatic assualt weapon" losely defined as a semi auto magazine fed centerfire rifle, in the commission of a felony.