FALMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - A man who is accused of shooting and injuring two police officers will enter a plea deal after initially arguing for a lesser sentence saying race and mental health played roles in the shooting.
An attorney for Malik Koval, 23, said at a hearing Tuesday his client would agree to deal that would put him in prison for eight to 12 years plus probation, the Cape Cod Times reported.
“My client has had the time to think about that,” attorney Brian Kelley said. “Mr. Koval is resolute on taking responsibility and moving on from this case.”
Kelley had initially asked for 5 to 7 1/2 years while prosecutors had sought 12 to 15 years, the newspaper reported.
Falmouth Police Officers Donald DeMiranda and Ryan Moore were wounded in July 2018 when responding to a report of a man yelling and throwing trash in the street outside Koval’s mother’s home. DeMiranda was shot in the shoulder, and Moore was grazed on the neck.
Koval was indicted by a Barnstable County grand jury in November 2018 on charges including armed assault to murder, assault and battery with a firearm, and assault and battery on a police officer.
Kelley argued this month that Koval acted in self-defense when he shot the officers who followed him into his mother’s home. He also said Koval has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and that race played a role in how the officers treated him. Koval is Black.
In the hearing Tuesday, prosecutors said Koval had threatened a corrections officer and kicked another inmate while he has been held in jail.
Prosecutors and the defense will speak with the probation department and a hearing is set for April 1, the newspaper reported.
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