MEMPHIS, Tenn. — During an arraignment in Criminal Court on Monday, prosecutors announced they would be seeking the death penalty against Tremaine Wilbourn, the man who shot and killed Memphis Police Officer Sean Bolton last year.
According to the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, the documents filed in court cited three aggravating factors leading to the decision: the deceased was an on-duty police officer; Wilbourn has prior felony convictions including a bank robbery in 2005; and the killing was committed to avoid apprehension or arrest.
Wilbourn was indicted for the murder of Officer Bolton on January 28.
He was also indicted for carjacking, using a gun during a felony and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
He is being held on a $10 million bond.
Bolton was shot and killed as he approached Wilbourn’s car August 1, 2015, in the 4800 block of Summerlane Ave.
Investigators say Wilbourn ran and carjacked a man at gunpoint.
Two days later, Wilbourn turned himself in and was identified by the carjacking victim.
He also faces federal charges, including carjacking, felony possession of ammunition and violation of supervised release.
Wilbourn is expected to be back in court on March 7.