Nelson Earl Mitchell, 34, was sentenced to death in January 1990 in Early County for killing Iron City Police Chief Robert Cunningham, 51, during a routine traffic stop.

Mr. Mitchell, who had prior convictions for larceny and theft, testified that the white police chief used racial slurs and the gun went off during a struggle.

One issue the defense may raise on appeal is an allegation that the jury foreman's husband was sitting in the courtroom and allegedly signaled his wife to vote for death by drawing his finger across his throat. Although it's been more than seven years since his conviction, the first appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court hasn't been filed.

  

Nelson Earl Mitchell