MISFIRE

Every day, a law enforcement officer puts their life on the line and goes to work. When that officer is a motorcycle patrolman or patrolwoman, their risk is greater. It’s a fact that anyone on a motorcycle has a greater risk of being involved in an accident than drivers in a vehicle.

On the spring day when this true crime happened, it started as a standard traffic violation—making an illegal turn. The driver of the van ignored the motorcycle officer’s lights and siren. He even ignored hand gestures to pull over and verbal commands.

When the driver pulled over, the officer stopped his motorcycle next to the driver’s side of the vehicle and opened the driver’s door, the driver pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the officer’s head and pulled the trigger.

Thankfully, the gun misfired. Someone had loaded the ammunition into the magazine backwards. With the help of other officers who’d arrived at the scene, they placed the driver in custody.

The man opted to go to trial. A jury convicted him of assault on a peace officer with a semi-automatic firearm, possession of non-registered, loaded firearms in a vehicle and driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level exceeding .20% with two prior DUI convictions. However, the jury did not reach a verdict on the charges of attempted murder and felony resisting arrest.

The District Attorney retried him on the attempted murder and resisting arrest charges. This time, a different jury found him guilty of both charges. The judge sentenced him to 12 years plus 15 years-to-life in prison.

A District Attorney associated with the case said,

“Law enforcement professionals are our neighbors, friends, and family members who deserve our continual support and respect. When they have been victimized, they deserve justice.”

Source: Superior Court of California, KSBY 6 NBC – California’s Central Coast

All data and information provided is for information and research purposes only and not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. Criminal cases may have been appealed or verdicts overturned since I researched the case. All information is provided on an as-is basis.