Eric Morgan, a repeat offender, pled guilty to three felonies on Thursday, October 12th, 2023, in exchange for a seven-year sentence. His charges arose from his part in the killing of Chicago police officer Ella French. While not accused of the actual murder, Morgan faced 11 original charges, including those related to firearms and obstructing justice, according to the Chicago Tribune. His brother, Emonte Morgan, stands charged with first-degree murder and other crimes.
Officer French's tragic death on August 7, 2021, in Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood, has had a profound impact on the city. Eric Morgan's plea deal has sparked discussions about the ethical and legal ramifications of such agreements, particularly in regards to victims' families seeking justice.
The prosecution offered Morgan the opportunity to plead guilty to the charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, and obstruction of justice. If accepted, he would serve sentences of seven, five, and three years respectively, concurrently, on these three counts. The offered deal is significantly less severe than the 11 felonies he originally faced, as per the Chicago Tribune.
Legal representatives for Eric Morgan claims that if his case hadn't involved police officers, he may have been given probation instead of a seven-year sentence, the maximum under the most serious charge, according to ABC7 Chicago. Legal experts suggest that the sentence length isn't surprising given that Eric Morgan isn't alleged to have been the shooter.
Emonte Morgan, who is purportedly the shooter in the murder of Officer French, faces charges of murder in the first degree. It is considered unlikely that he would be offered a plea bargain, furthers ABC7 Chicago.
