Cook County prosecutors have offered a plea deal to a man facing several felony charges in connection with the killing of Chicago police Officer Ella French two years ago.
Eric Morgan, 25, is expected to enter guilty pleas after being offered a plea deal Friday, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
If he accepts, Morgan would face seven years in prison for pleading guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon — the maximum penalty for the offense. That would be served concurrently with a five-year sentence for battery and a three-year sentence for obstruction of justice, a spokeswoman for Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx confirmed.
Court records show a change of plea hearing has been set for Oct. 12 before Judge Ursula Walowski.
Morgan’s defense attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
Eric Morgan and his brother, Emonte Morgan, have been held at the Cook County Jail without bail since being charged in connection with the fatal shooting.
Officers French, Carlos Yanez and Joshua Blas were on patrol about 9 p.m. Aug. 7, 2021, when they pulled over a gray SUV for expired license plates, according to prosecutors.
Eric Morgan was behind the wheel, and his brother was sitting in the back seat, prosecutors have said. A woman, who has not been charged, was sitting in the front passenger seat.
French approached the car and asked Eric Morgan to hand over the keys and get out of the car. He and the two passengers all got out, prosecutors said.
Emonte Morgan was holding a drink and a cellphone in his hands and allegedly ignored officers’ repeated instructions to set them down. Eric Morgan then ran off and was pursued by Blas, prosecutors said.
French and Yanez struggled with Emonte Morgan, who drew a gun tucked in his waistband and fired several shots, striking both officers, according to prosecutors, who said their body-worn camera recorded Emonte Morgan standing over them with a gun.
Blas returned after hearing gunshots and exchanged fire with Emonte Morgan, striking him twice.
Prosecutors said Emonte Morgan was able to pass the gun to Eric Morgan, who later was held by neighbors. The gun used to shoot the officers was recovered nearby, prosecutors said.
Emonte Morgan faces several counts of a murder, as well as aggravated battery and gun charges.
French died from her wounds. Yanez was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
French was lauded as a hero by the city and praised by fellow officers as representing the best of the police department.
