Chicago Parolee Charged With Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Police Officer

 Posted on December 03, 2012 in Criminal Defense

A 20 year-old Chicago man was shot in the wrist during an altercation with an off-duty police officer after he allegedly try to hit the officer with a stolen SUV. Lawrence R. Coleman, who is on parole from a 2010 conviction for driving a stolen vehicle, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, aggravated assault of a police officer with a vehicle, possessing a stolen vehicle and two counts of aggravated fleeing causing bodily injury.

According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, Coleman was driving a stolen Honda CRV north on South Prairie Avenue when he passed a police cruiser which was equipped with a license plate reader. The device notified the officers in the cruiser that the SUV was stolen and the pulled Coleman over. The officers exited the cruiser and approached the SUV, which then sped off. Coleman lost control of the SUV and it hit a female pedestrian and a pole before smashing into a wall.

An off-duty, just finishing up his shift so he was still in uniform, witnessed the incident and exited his vehicle to help the woman who had been hit. Coleman backed up the SUV and hit the officer’s car, which had a passenger in it. The officer stood in front of the SUV and ordered Coleman out of the vehicle. Instead of exiting, Coleman drove at the officer and the officer fired several shots at him, with one striking his wrist. Both the pedestrian and passenger in the officer’s car were treated area hospitals and released.

Coleman was also treated at a hospital and released. He is currently being held on $500,000 bond. If you are accused of a serious crime, consult with an experienced criminal law attorney to make sure you receive the best defense possible.