Man facing weapons charges in murder of CPD officer Ella French gets 7 years in plea deal
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Dramatic moments in court on Thursday as one of the men accused in the killing of Chicago police officer Ella French came face-to-face with the officer's mother.
CBS 2's Shardaa Gray reports the room was packed with officers. Silence filled the room after Ella French's mother took the stand to address Eric Morgan who played a role in her daughter's death.
Heads held high as mom Elizabeth French walks out with her daughter's partner, Carlos Yanez Jr. after 25-year-old Eric Morgan took a plea deal in the killing of Chicago Police Officer Ella French.
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara Jr. spoke on behalf of the family and Yanez, who was injured in the shooting.
"Elizabeth framed it right. Seven years is not enough."
Morgan was charged with 11 felonies, including gun charges, but not the actual murder or shooting that killed French and injured her partner.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, and obstruction of justice.
"There were numerous witnesses. Plus, it may have taken several more years for his brother's case to have been ready to go to trial. Therefore he may have been sitting longer than he may have been sitting otherwise," said Morgan's attorney Roger Brown.
Morgan's brother, Emote Morgan, faces charges of first-degree murder and other felonies. He's accused of shooting and killing French and injuring Yanez.
In an attack that rocked the city, French was shot and killed during a traffic stop in the West Englewood neighborhood while Yanez was seriously injured.
In an emotional statement to the court, French's mother told the judge of her grief at losing her daughter, as well as her accomplishments as a Chicago police officer.
She then turned to Morgan, looking him directly in the eye and saying she'd never be able to hear her daughter's voice again.
Morgan then had a chance to address the court.
"This offender is not sympathetic at all. To sit there and say that you're sorry for what happened and you're sorry for Ella's death and then turn around and say I think my brother is innocent is disgusting," said Catanzara.
Even though Morgan was sentenced to seven years in prison, his attorney said he could get out within a year and a half for good behavior.
Without the deal, Eric Morgan, 24, faced 23 years in prison.
Investigators said while Morgan drove the car, his brother, Emonte Morgan, was the one who pulled the trigger.
Morgan was charged with three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery, and obstruction of justice.
In August of 2021, Officer French, 29, who was assigned to the Community Safety Team, conducted a traffic stop around 9 p.m. near 63rd Street and Bell Avenue in West Englewood.
Three people were in the car — two men and a woman. During the traffic stop, someone in the vehicle opened fire on police, who returned fire. French's partner was seriously wounded.
While in court, French's mother spoke directly to Morgan and said she hoped he understood what he did by giving his brother the gun. She then said how she will never get to tell her daughter she loves her or hug her, and that seven years is not enough.
Morgan spoke in front of the judge and said he wished he could go back and change everything and what happened, but still thinks his brother is innocent.
On August 10, the two brothers were charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer French and for critically wounding Officer Yanez.
In December 2022, the straw purchaser of the gun used to kill Officer French was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Jamel Danzy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal firearm offenses. For part of the supervised release, Danzy cannot own or buy firearms and can't leave the district he will live in after his prison sentence is completed.
As for Eric Morgan, his attorney said that with good behavior, he can get out of prison within a year and a half.
