By Carlos Alcalá
calcala@sacbee.com
An El Dorado County jury today convicted David Charles Zanon of running down and killing a California Highway Patrol officer and attempting to murder other officers.
![ZANONx32654[1].JPG](http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/ZANONx32654%5B1%5D.JPG)
The first-degree murder conviction with special allegations makes Zanon (photo left), 40, eligible for the death penalty.
Zanon killed California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Russell in a 30-mile, high-speed chase in which Russell was struck and killed along Highway 50 in Shingle Springs while attempting to stop the chase with a spike strip on July 31, 2007.
Zanon also was found guilty of the attempted murder of CHP Officer Wayne Kenneweg, who earlier had attempted to stop the pursuit with a spike strip.
He also was found guilty of the attempted murder of Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Shannon Schumaker, who made the initial contact with Zanon in Rancho Cordova.
Police say Zanon was discovered burglarizing a Rancho Cordova business on the same day as he killed Russell. He then led officers from several jurisdictions on a high-speed chase deep into El Dorado County.
Near the Ponderosa Road exit, officials say, he coldly steered his getaway car off the freeway onto the median and ran down Russell.
Minutes after leaving the Rancho Cordova site with deputies in pursuit, Zanon swerved toward Schumaker's vehicle as he responded to the scene.
The El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson compared Zanon's action to a "game of chicken."
On Highway 50 in El Dorado Hills, Pierson recounted, Zanon swerved toward Kenneweg attempting to lay a spike strip.
Along the way, he threw things out of his vehicle into the path of those pursuing him and called his friends, Pierson said.
CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow expressed gratitude for the verdict.
"On behalf of the entire CHP family, I wish to extend our deepest appreciation to the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office, the El Dorado Superior Court, the members of the jury and all the supporters of the CHP and Officer Scott Russell," Farrow said.
Call The Bee's Carlos Alcalá, (916) 321-1987.
Previous coverage:
El Dorado jury has case in killing of California Highway Patrol officer - July 29, 2010
Defendant's intent called key in trial over CHP officer's highway death - July 7, 2010
Trial in CHP officer's killing to begin in Placerville - May 31, 2010
KCRA: Man convicted in CHP officer's murder
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