Chicago, Illinois- Emonte Morgan was found guilty on Tuesday evening for the 2021 murder of Chicago Police Officer Ella French and the attempted murder of two other officers in a tragic incident that shook the city to its core.
The jury of seven men and five women, predominantly residing in the suburbs, deliberated for 3.5 hours before reaching the verdict shortly before 7:30 p.m. French’s mother, Elizabeth, stood hand-in-hand with her daughter’s colleagues as the verdict was read, demonstrating the emotional toll the trial had taken on all involved.
During the trial, 23-year-old Morgan remained stoic as the jury convicted him on all counts, including first-degree murder for French’s death and two counts of attempted first-degree murder for injuring CPD Officer Carlos Yañez and firing at Officer Joshua Blas.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx expressed a mix of relief and sadness following the verdict, acknowledging the loss of a dedicated officer who sacrificed her life for the people of Cook County. While the verdict brought some closure, the pain of French’s absence still lingers for her family and colleagues.
The trial showcased harrowing body camera footage of the incident, with prosecutors arguing that Morgan deliberately concealed a weapon and fatally shot French, leaving Yañez seriously injured. The defense countered by suggesting that the gun discharged accidentally during a struggle, emphasizing the ambiguity of the video evidence.
As the trial concluded, French’s mother was escorted out of the courtroom before photos of the autopsy were presented to jurors, underscoring the profoundly emotional nature of the proceedings. The state rested its case after testimony from a medical examiner detailing the fatal injuries sustained by the slain officer.
Looking ahead, Morgan faces a potential life sentence as the court reconvenes on April 19 for post-trial motions. Despite the trial’s conclusion, the pain and trauma caused by the loss of Officer French continue to reverberate throughout the Chicago law enforcement community.