CHICAGO — A Chicago man was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to three felonies in connection with the murder of Chicago Police Officer Ella French.
Eric Morgan pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice by destroying evidence, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon with a previous conviction. Judge Ursula Walowski sentenced him to concurrent terms of three, five, and seven years, respectively, according to court records.
Prosecutors dropped eight other felonies, mostly different varieties of firearm possession charges, in their plea deal with Morgan.
Morgan was never accused of shooting French or her partner, Officer Carolos Yanez, during the fateful traffic stop on August 7, 2021.
Rather, prosecutors said he ran from the scene, then returned and fled with the murder weapon after his brother killed French and gravely wounded Yanez.
Emonte Morgan continues to fight the charges. He is due in court again on February 20.
Officials have said Emonte Morgan refused to comply with the officers’ commands during the traffic stop. He pulled a gun from his waistband as he fought with French and Yanez, then opened fire, prosecutors contend.
The fallen officers’ body cameras recorded images of Emonte Morgan holding the gun.
A third officer who chased Eric Morgan down the street turned back after hearing gunfire and shot Emonte Morgan during an exchange of gunfire, prosecutors said.
Cops arrested Eric Morgan after residents directed them to his location. Prosecutors said he struck one of the witnesses with the murder weapon, resulting in the aggravated battery charge he pleaded guilty to today.
