A jury has sentenced a Mesa man to death in the 2007 rape and murder of a Gilbert woman.
The Maricopa County Superior Court jury returned its verdict Monday against 29-year-old Jonathan Burns. He was previously found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual assault, kidnapping and weapons misconduct in the death of 19-year-old Jackie Hartman.
Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced Burns to 28 years for sexual assault, 28 years for kidnapping and 12 years for misconduct involving weapons.
Prosecutors say Burns raped and fatally shot Hartman on their first date on Jan. 28, 2007.
It was nearly a month before police found Hartman's body buried in the desert near Fountain Hills. Police say her torn clothing was found in a trash bin near Burns' home.
Geepers posted at 4:57 pm on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
Unfortunately it can't happen soon enough.[sad]