At age 61 and an ex-policeman, Morgan was sentenced to 40 years in jail. If he survives being a policeman in jail, he will probably die from old age and/or the result of injuries from the 28 bullets. The article still points out the compelling questions:
- Why would a former cop open fire at four armed officers, knowing it would not end well?
- Why wasn't a gunshot residue test done of Morgan's hands? If he actually did discharge his weapon, as the authorities contend, wouldn't this simple test have confirmed their version of events?
- Why was Morgan's car destroyed before forensic testing could be conducted, including of the bullets that pierced it?
- Why were only three bullets preserved from the dozens of rounds fired, as Morgan's advocates claim? Under the circumstances, how do we know whether any of the remaining bullets that hit Morgan were fired from his own weapon by police?
- Beyond these unresolved questions about Morgan's guilt, there are two more troubling issues that arise from this case.
- Why was Morgan shot 21 times while his back was turned? Weren't seven direct hits to his front torso enough to subdue him?
- And, was race a factor in the shooting?
- The first question goes to the issue of who is truly responsible for attempted murder -- Morgan or the cops who repeatedly shot him?
- The second compels us to ask: Would the case have been handled differently if the four officers were black West Siders and the shooting victim was a white Gold Coast resident?
Morgan has been sentenced but that should not be the end. Law advocates, law students besides civil rights leaders, Occupy Chicago, a prominent newspaper columnist and Morgan's family should continue to work for his release. Signed an on-line petition by Change.org seeking Morgan's release.
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