Crime & Safety
Clemency Denied For Atlanta Cop Killer
Greg Lawler is set to die Wednesday evening at 7 pm. He killed the officer and wounded his partner in Buckhead in 1997.
ATLANTA, GA — Clemency was denied Tuesday afternoon for Gregory Lawler, 63, who was convicted of the murder of Atlanta Police Officer John Sowa 19 years ago.
The Fulton County District Attorney’s office was informed of the decision by the Georgia Pardon and Parole Board.
A clemency hearing for Lawler was held Tuesday before the Georgia Pardon and Parole Board. Lawler was convicted of shooting and killing APD officer Sowa and severely wounding Sowa’s partner, Patricia Cocciolone. The two officers responded to a domestic dispute in Buckhead in October 1997.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Shortly after arriving on scene, Lawler picked up his AR-15 loaded with “armor piercing” ammunition and fired 15 rounds. Sowa was shot multiple times in the back. Cocciolone suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her head, arm and pelvis. Neither officer had withdrawn their service weapons.
Lawler is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Wednesday at 7 p.m. His execution would mark the seventh in Georgia this year.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Image Georgia Department of Corrections
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
