NH Death Row Inmate Seeks Lesser Penalty After State Abolished Executions in 2019

A man facing the death penalty for the murder of a Manchester police officer is asking a local judge to reduce his sentence.

Court officials say Michael Addison was sentenced to death for the October 2006 murder of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs, who was killed in the line of duty.

Addison reportedly was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.

However, after New Hampshire abolished the death penalty in 2019, Addison argued to the court that his death penalty was no longer legal.

Court officials say a hearing on the matter is set for late September.