CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: One of two brothers charged in the murder of Chicago Police Officer Ella French has been offered a plea deal.
Lawyers for Emonte Morgan's brother Eric Morgan say he's been offered a seven-year prison sentence, which is the maximum under the most serious charge he faces.
On August 7, 2021, French, 29, died from a gunshot wound in West Englewood, a neighborhood in Chicago.
What are the charges against Eric Morgan?
Eric Morgan is facing three charges, including unlawful aggravated use of a weapon, aggravated battery, and obstruction of justice.
Eric was accused of handling the murder weapon allegedly used by his brother Emonte Morgan to shoot French and her partner Carlos Yanez.
Yanez was severely wounded but survived his injuries.
Eric’s lawyer, Roger Brown, revealed on Friday, September 29, that he has been offered a seven-year prison sentence which is the maximum for the most serious charge he faces.
He said that “if it were not for the fact that it was associated with the Chicago police and officers, he would’ve gotten a sentence of probation," the Daily Mail reported.
He added that he thinks “a sentence of seven years is more than enough.” Eric is set to have his plea hearing on October 12.
What are the charges against Emonte Morgan?
Emonte Morgan is accused of pulling the trigger that killed Officer French and wounded Officer Yanez.
He has been charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer, attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
His attorney reportedly claimed he could face 23 years in prison if he does not accept the plea deal.
Who was cop Ella French?
She was the first female officer fatally shot on the job there in 33 years.
Her death was the first fatal shooting of a Chicago officer in the line of duty after former mayor Lori Lightfoot took office, as per the report.
Her brother at the time said, “She’s my sister, she’s my little sister” and that he was “proud of her.”
The horrifying incident took place when the Morgan brothers were pulled over for a traffic stop after they were spotted driving with expired license plates.
Gun used in shooting was bought illegally
The gun that Emonte used to kill Officer French was bought by Jamal Danzy, 29, of Hammond.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal firearm offenses in July 2022.
He bought the gun from a licensed dealer in Indiana and gave it to an Illinois resident who had a felony conviction and could not legally own a gun.
The charges did not name the person who received the gun from Danzy, but it ended up in Eric’s possession, the report mentioned.
