A Franklin County jury is hearing testimony in the mitigation trial of a man convicted of murdering Columbus Police SWAT Officer Steve Smith.
On Monday Lincoln Rutledge's mother told the jury she couldn't fathom that her son was in an altercation with police.
"I was just shocked. I was shocked. My son's been shot? And an officer?," said Monica Rutledge.
In April of 2016, Columbus SWAT was trying to arrest Rutledge at his Clintonville apartment for setting his estranged wife's home on fire.
Police testified Rutledge refused to come out and repeatedly shot at officers. During the confrontation, Officer Steve Smith was shot in the head and died two days later.
On Thursday, the jury convicted Rutledge of aggravated murder and attempted murder for trying to shoot and kill two more officers.
Monica Rutledge told the jury she didn't know there was a probate order for her son because he was having mental issues, or that he was in a more than nine-hour standoff with law enforcement until it was too late to try to help.
"I was just shocked so I went on to Channel 10 news to see what was going on," said Monica Rutledge. "And nobody had called us. Nobody!"
Prosecutors asked Rutledge's mother whether she was aware her son was abusing alcohol and whether she knew he was mixing alcohol and marijuana with prescription drugs for depression. Monica Rutledge testified her son reconnected with his faith after he was locked up in jail and often seemed upbeat during jailhouse visits, but told the jury about four months ago he cut off communication.
The defense is expected to call Rutledge's father, his now ex-wife, and co-workers to the witness stand before the jury considers whether to send him to death row.