A jury has convicted a New York City policeman — dubbed by press as the “Cannibal Cop” — of plotting to kidnap, kill and then eat women.
“Today, a unanimous jury found that Gilberto Valle’s detailed and specific plans to abduct women for the purpose of committing grotesque crimes were very real and that he was guilty as charged,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharar in a statement to the press. “The Internet is a forum for the free exchange of ideas, but it does not confer immunity for plotting crimes and taking steps to carry out those crimes.”
Mr. Valle, 28, had pleaded not guilty. Jurors delivered the conviction Tuesday morning, after debating the case since Thursday, CBS reports.
The case focused on the testimony of four women whom jurors ultimately believed Mr. Valle targeted for killing while he chatted online about kidnapping and cannibalism.
Court testimony over the past two weeks revealed how Mr. Valle created a computer database of at least 100 women, complete with their addresses and photos. Mr. Valle’s wife discovered his late-evening computer chats and fled with their infant. She subsequently contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigations about her husband, CBS reported.
Mr. Valle will be sentenced on June 19, CBS reports. He could face life in prison.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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