Inmate convicted of killing prostitute in 1997

ATLANTA - A man already serving life in prison for a series of armed robberies has been convicted of killing a prostitute and leaving her body tied to a tree in a cemetery. <br> <br> Jeffery Ray Sharp, 37, was found guilty of murder Tuesday in the death of 19-year-old Jessica Marie Shultz. <br> <br> The penalty phase of the trial was to begin Wednesday. <br> <br> Prosecutor Anna Green told jurors that the beating and strangling of Shultz demanded nothing less than lethal injection. ``Who he is, is a predator,&#39;&#39; Green said. ``What he did is beyond all standards of human decency.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Defense lawyer Matthew Rubenstein told jurors that society no longer needs to fear Sharp, who adapted well to prison during the last five years. ``You do not need to kill this man to ensure the safety of our community,&#39;&#39; Rubenstein said.