the local prosecutor wanted the death penalty for thompson, but knew it would be an uphill battle because thompson had never been convicted of a violent crime. that was about to change. on december 28, 1984, 19-year-old jay la guard, and her brother and sister went to the superdome for a college basketball tournament. after the game as they were getting in the car, an african-american man jumped into the backseat, pulled out a .357 magnum and said i m taking your car, i want all your valuables. jay deliberately caused a car accident. the carjacker then leapt forward with the gun and jay turned