The Associated Press
ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - A teen accused of shooting and paralyzing a Montgomery County police officer was convicted of all charges Monday, including attempted first-degree murder.
Terence Green, 19, faces a possible sentence of life in prison for shooting officer Kyle Olinger in the neck during a traffic stop on Aug. 13, 2003. Olinger was left paralyzed from the waist down and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Olinger, 38, said he was angry that he saw no remorse from Green. During the trial, Green’s attorneys claimed he shot Olinger by mistake as the two struggled over a gun.
Olinger said the verdict won’t give him closure since Green, who could be eligible for parole even if sentenced to life in jail, could some day be free.
“He’ll live out the rest of his life while I’m stuck in this chair,” Olinger said.
Green briefly covered his face when the verdict was read. Along with the attempted murder charge, he was also convicted of first-degree assault and use of a firearm during a crime.
During the trial, Olinger testified that he ordered the driver out for questioning and noticed that Green was moving around in the front seat. Olinger said he went to that side of the car, asked Green for identification, then saw a gun on the floor and ordered everyone to put their hands up. When Green failed to fully comply, Olinger pulled his service weapon and a struggle began. It ended with Olinger being shot in the neck.
The struggle was dramatically re-enacted in the courtroom last week with Montgomery County State’s Attorney Douglas F. Gansler playing the role of Green. Part of the car involved was brought into the courtroom and Gansler sat in the passenger seat as Olinger wheeled himself to the window.
Green will be sentenced Jan. 6.