Jurors Monday convicted a teen of assault charges — but cleared him of attempted murder — for dragging an NYPD detective for blocks with a stolen vehicle last year.
Justin Murrell, 17, faces up to 10 years behind bars at sentencing for the attack, which left Det. Dalsh Veve with severe brain damage.
Murrell was 16-years-old and driving stolen car when Veve performed a routine traffic stop in June 2017.
The teen sped away with Veve holding onto the side of the vehicle, and dragged the 9-year-NYPD veteran for several blocks.
Veve was so injured he cannot walk on his own, or remember his daughter or wife. He was in treatment for almost a year following the incident, and was only released this past May.
Murrell’s lawyers argued he didn’t intend to kill the officer.
“Officer Veve put his life on the line for the people of Brooklyn,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “This defendant then callously dragged Officer Veve, at a high rate of speed, for several blocks, showing an appalling and intentional disregard for human life.”
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch blasted the verdict, and called Murrell a “baby-faced punk.”
“The jury’s not guilty [verdict] in the attempted murder of PO Dalsh Veve is wrong. It is just by the grace of God that Dalsh is alive today.” Lynch said in his own statement. “This punk knew he had a police officer hanging off the side of the stolen car that he was driving and he intentionally drove wildly in an attempt to kill the officer.”
Murrell is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 7.
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