Jury selection for the trial of Emonte Morgan, accused of the fatal shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French, commenced under the gaze of potential jurors and uniformed police officers filling the courtroom gallery. The start of the trial was marked by a moment of contention when Evalena Flores, Morgan's mother, was instructed to cover a T-shirt that read “Justice for Emonte Morgan,” which featured her son's image. The judge, Ursula Walowski, took a no-slogan stance, asserting she would not tolerate any slogans like Flores wore, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Officer French’s partner Officer Carlos Yanez, wounded in the incident that occurred during a traffic stop in Englewood in August 2021, was among the police present in the court. While the prosecution prepared to argue Morgan's role in the shooting, defense attorneys expressed concerns, citing fears that the "sea of blue" of officers’ uniforms could bias the jury. Despite this, Walowski allowed officers to wear their uniforms, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Morgan, who faces 85 counts including murder and attempted murder, is also alleged to have injured Yanez, who lost an eye during the encounter. Morgan's older brother, Eric Morgan, has already pleaded guilty to related charges and was sentenced to seven years, as noted in a report by WGN-TV. Jurors were questioned extensively about their levels of knowledge to ensure a fair trial amidst the widespread publicity surrounding the case.
Outside the courtroom, tensions continue to brew with flyers advocating for the "Justice for Morgan Brothers" being removed by the sheriff's deputies. The trial is set to proceed with opening arguments Tuesday at 10 a.m., where body camera footage capturing the tragic events is expected to be played. This comes after Morgan’s mother had explicitly stated, "I don’t have to stand up here and give a whole spiel about my son. I know he’s innocent," asserting her belief in her son’s capability to get a fair trial despite the publicity, as she told WGN-TV. Emonte Morgan was shot as well on the night of the incident, further complicating the emotionally charged atmosphere seen in court.
