In 2000 he received a mandatory death sentence .
Atkins was a bus driver who was convicted in 1999 for the murder of 20 - year - old Sharmaine Hurley in the previous October .
In 2000 Atkins received a mandatory death sentence .
Atkins was a bus driver who was convicted in 1999 for the murder of 20 - year - old Sharmaine Hurley in the previous October .