MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. – A verdict has been reached within the trial of a Maryland driver accused of deliberately hitting a police officer, who misplaced each of his legs within the crash.
Raphael Mayorga has been discovered not responsible of tried homicide within the first and second diploma in addition to first-degree assault.
He was discovered responsible of second-degree assault and a dozen different expenses related together with his actions the morning of October 18, 2023 that led to Montgomery County Police Sgt. Pat Kepp.
“We stand by the fees filed on this case and we’re dissatisfied with the decision. The sergeant who obtained catastrophic accidents on this incident is a hero. Our hearts are with him and the officers who put their lives in danger every single day to guard and serve the folks of Montgomery County,” stated Montgomery County State’s Legal professional John McCarthy.
There have been glancing mentions in the course of the trial that Mayorga and Sgt. Kepp had a historical past with each other, crossing paths on a number of events, largely when Kepp was pursuing Mayorga for visitors security violations.
Prosecutors stated Mayorga had a historical past of attempting to bait police into chases.
However McCarthy stated prosecutors weren’t capable of enter as a lot proof of these previous interactions.
McCarthy and police counseled the choose and jury for the work they did, however indicated that hampered their capacity to show intent, feeling that Mayorga focused Kepp. Once more, the jury discovered Mayorga not responsible on these most critical expenses.
Montgomery County Assistant Chief Darren Francke stated this was a tough verdict.
“What we’re disheartened by. What we’re offended about is that on this state, a 19 12 months previous can flip a 4200 pound automobile right into a guided missile and on 10/18/23, he took that missile, endangered all residents in Montgomery County, Maryland and a public servant like Sgt. Pat Kepp made the choice that this must cease and what he received was a 4200 hundred pound missile aimed toward him on 270,” Francke stated.
The Maryland Legislature did move the Pat Kepp Act, which creates harsher sentences for reckless drivers.
Mayorga’s protection lawyer declined to make any remark after the decision was learn.
State’s Legal professional John McCarthy stated Mayorga may face simply over 25 years of jail time for what he was discovered responsible of Friday, and he’ll pursue a vigorous sentence.
That’ll occur August 27, and Mayorga will keep in jail till then.
McCarthy closed out this press convention by saying “God Bless Pat Kepp”, including that whereas he was dissatisfied on this verdict, he walked out of the courtroom and proper again to work for the Montgomery County Police Division.
The backstory:
Police Sgt. Pat Kepp misplaced each of his legs within the crash early within the morning of Oct. 18, 2023.
In line with police, Mayorga was seen doing doughnuts in his lime-green Dodge Challenger, getting on and off of the freeway wildly, swerving and dashing. After he practically ran one other automobile off of the street, police made the choice to deploy cease sticks.
Prosecutors say Kepp was standing within the left lanes of northbound I-270 in Gaithersburg, about to deploy cease sticks to cease the automobile, which was going 162 miles an hour — 3 times the posted pace restrict.
The prosecution says as Mayorga got here up the freeway, he noticed Kepp and deliberately moved from the center lanes to the far left lanes, barreling down the street towards Kepp’s patrol automobile, ultimately hanging the officer.
They are saying continued Mayorga continued dashing down the freeway till he hit cease sticks laid out by one other officer.
Mayorga is going through first and second-degree tried homicide and assault expenses. Police say he additionally had a feminine passenger with him and was driving with out a license.
The opposite aspect:
The protection’s argument is that the collision was not intentional, and that Mayorga didn’t attempt to kill Kepp.
In an interview with detectives performed in courtroom, Mayorga stated he noticed the officer standing within the roadway, hit the brakes and tried to swerve. He claimed he did not know he’d hit the officer and solely heard a tire pop.
However Kepp’s dashboard digicam video — earlier than and after influence — exhibits Mayorga by no means slowed down.
The backstory:
Montgomery County prosecutors say Mayorga, who was 19 on the time of the incident, had been identified to bait police. They are saying he had additionally been arrested by Kepp as soon as for dashing.
Montgomery County State’s Legal professional John McCarthy spoke about Mayorga’s historical past with the police division again in October when the crash occurred.
“Between April 28 and June 1 of this 12 months, on 4 separate events, he [Mayorga] baited the police right here in Montgomery County into high-speed chases alongside 270. That was successfully what he was doing once more on this explicit night,” McCarthy stated, referring to the crash on I-270. “Throughout a few of the earlier chases, they [police] would truly make telephone calls to him. They knew who he was, he knew who they had been, and he dared them to try to catch him.”
“Within the 4 earlier chases, he outran the police. There are limitations on police pursuit insurance policies and what they’re allowed to do. He received away from the police,” McCarthy added. “An arrest warrant was issued for him. It took a sure variety of days earlier than that arrest warrant could possibly be served.”
Kepp, an 11-year police veteran, has since advocated for visitors security to state legislators. He additionally testified on the opening day of the trial Monday.
The Supply: This story contains earlier FOX 5 DC reporting.
