The testimony came in the penalty phase of the trial of George Rivas, who was convicted a day earlier of capital murder in the Christmas Eve slaying of Officer Aubrey Hawkins.

Rivas is the confessed leader of the group of seven inmates that led authorities on a six-week manhunt after escaping.

"He told me to sit down in a chair and don't try anything or I'd be killed," correctional officer Lou Gips testified he was warned by Rivas the day he broke out of prison.

Rivas faces the death penalty or life in prison. The penalty phase was expected to continue Thursday.

During the Wednesday testimony, jurors heard for the first time about the gang's meticulously planned breakout from the Connally Unit in Kenedy, where they stole a pickup and 16 guns and left a note threatening, "You haven't heard the last of us yet."

Prison guard Alejandro Marroquin testified he was beaten unconscious and feared for his life. '"Marroquin, if you keep on fighting, I will not hesitate to kill you,'" the guard quoted Rivas as saying.

Prosecutor Toby Shook told jurors about Rivas' troubled history. Rivas, 31, was serving 17 life sentences for armed robbery and kidnapping before the Dec. 13 escape.

Hawkins was shot 11 times and run over with a car during the robbery of a sporting goods store in Irving, 11 days after the breakout. The robbers escaped with $70,000 in cash and checks, 25 weapons and clothing.

"The last thing Aubrey Hawkins saw was this man bearing down on him with all his fury. Without mercy. Without mercy," Shook said during closing statements.

Rivas' attorneys argued that he never intended to kill Hawkins, only disarm him by shooting him in the shoulders. He said the other fugitives joined in the gunfire.

Four fugitives were caught Jan. 22 in Colorado and one killed himself; the last two surrendered Jan. 24. Rivas is the first to be tried.

Patrick Moczygemba, a maintenance supervisor at the Connally Unit, told how the inmates tricked prison workers into letting them stay in the maintenance department during lunch, then hit him over the head – nearly severing an ear – and tied him up.

Twelve prison workers and three inmates not involved in the plot also were taken hostage as they returned from lunch and were locked in a small electrical room.

Defense attorney Karo Johnson noted that the inmates kept their promise not to harm hostages if they cooperated and even left them ice water in the room.

Prosecutors presented evidence for five days last week, including a confession in which Rivas asked for forgiveness and said he deserves to die for shooting Hawkins.