I wonder if by threatening a jury it strengthens his appeal somehow? Lawyers later claiming the jury was reacting out of fear than justice... Sure sounds like an invalid or dumb argument to myself, but then again look at how many liberal Judges sit out there looking for any excuse to set aside a death sentence.
The article also said that he showed no remorse. What I found astounding is that the jury took 2 hours to reach their verdict of the death penalty. They must have had some deliberations and were not acting totally in fear.