By Kim Morava, News-Star

Byron James Shepard, the man convicted and jailed on Oklahoma’s death row for the 2017 shooting death of Tecumseh Police Officer Justin Terney, has died in prison, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

“We can confirm that death-row inmate Byron Shepard (ODOC #747199) was pronounced deceased early this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 14, at a local hospital. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General is investigating his death per normal procedure. As no physical injury or trauma was observed, the Medical Examiner’s office will determine the official cause of death.”

Shepard, who was 43 at the time of his death, was convicted of first-degree murder by a Pottawatomie County jury back in 2019. For the sentencing phase of the that trial, he received the death penalty and was jailed on Oklahoma’s death row.

Officer Terney, 22, died March 27, 2017, from gunshot wounds he suffered the night before in a shootout with Shepard, who was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Terney that night.

Prosecutors argued Shepard, who was a fugitive, shot Terney that night to avoid going to jail. During his trial, prosecutors pointed out Shepard’s criminal history, as well as past violence and drug use. Shepard’s public defenders argued that the shooting and officer’s death were unintentional and asked the jury to spare his life and allow him to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Watch for updates and the full story in Thursday’s News-Star.