Judge sentences man who declined jury trial to death

JONESBORO - A 45-year-old Clayton County man who asked a judge to sentence him rather than have a jury trial, was given the death penalty Tuesday. <br> <br> Keith Henry had admitted strangling 18-year-old Regina Dates with a cord in her mother&#39;s home in Clayton County in 1999. <br> <br> In handing down the sentence, Judge Al Collier said, ``Mister Henry, may God have mercy on your soul.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Henry&#39;s attorney -- Steve Frey -- said Henry entered a guilty plea because he is ready to accept his responsibility and face the consequences, including the death penalty. <br> <br> Henry is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on October 16. <br> <br> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Henry will be one of only three Georgians sent to death row without a jury since former Governor Jimmy Carter signed the state&#39;s current death penalty law in 1973.