Guilty as Charged
A Cook County jury tonight convicted a reputed gang member charged in the 2009 murder of a Chicago police officer.
After deliberating for nearly 2 1/2 hours, the jury found Shawn Gaston, 22, guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the fatal shooting of Officer Alejandro “Alex” Valadez, 27.
The verdict was read about 9:06 p.m. in a courtroom packed with Valadez's family, friends and fellow officers.
Gaston, wearing a black button-down shirt and with his dreadlocks in a ponytail, watched without expression as the jurors filed into the courtroom before delivering the verdict. He looked at his family after the verdict was read, his expression unchanged.
Many of Valadez's relatives were crying softly throughout Wednesday's closing arguments. Their sobbing became louder after the verdict was read, and they hugged and cried in the hallway as people filed out of the courtroom.
A short time later, Valadez's sister Brenda, who is also a Chicago police officer, told a group of reporters that her family is happy Gaston was convicted but is still devastated by her brother's killing. The pain is worst, she said, when she thinks about her brother's son.
“My nephew, who was born three months after my brother was murdered, will never know what his daddy's hugs and kisses feel like,” Brenda Valadez said, surrounded by her parents, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, and dozens of other relatives and police officers.
“His daddy will not be there on his first day of school. His daddy will not be there to cheer him at T-ball or guide him through life and share all those wonderful memories that wonderful and loving fathers share with their sons.”
UPDATE: Post moved from 2300 hours last night to current top spot.
Labels: officer down
posted by SCC at 12:07 AM
67 Comments:
God Bless Ofc.Valadez and his family......
Cicero PD
One less to worry about.
God bless and protect Valadez's son. I'm going to go hug and kiss my son right now.
A small triumph in a sea of sadness...
Thank god...... Rest in peace my brother
Kill him!! Oh wait, Gov. Ryan took that option away from us. What a shame that we will be on the hook for the housing and feeding of this animal for the rest of his life.
Prayers for the family and CPD...
A ray of sunshine through a cloudy sky. Maybe not all is lost in cook county justice.
Our prayers have been answered! Justice has been served!! My family and I could not have gone through this difficult road alone. I seriously wish that I could personally thank each person who worked on this case and all who have been there for us not only this past week but in the past two years, but there are just so many! A big thank you to all the detectives, evidence technicians, forensic investigators, police officers and every single CPD personnel that had anything to do with this case. Your hard work and dedication paid off! You all did great on the witness stand and your testimony helped convict this killer! Thanks to your hard work he is behind bars and will remain behind bars where he belongs! To the countless number of officers, friends, strangers, Gold Star Family members, everyone that attended court, or called or sent messages wishing us well and sending us prayers, I thank you too! Your support has been of tremendous help to my family. Stay safe my brothers and sisters in blue!! (I hope all this makes sense because my thoughts are all over the place right now but I really just needed to get my thanks out there!)
God Bless Valadez and his family... I can't believe I was actually holding my breath on this trail, but glad I can breathe a breath of relief!!
Great job to Area 1 dets, felony review and Anita Alvarez!!
On behalf of P.O.Densey Cole, his sister & parents ( both retired CPD) we wish to send blessings to the entire Valadez family & hopefully a bit of closure will come to them knowing that he was caught & found guilty. We will continue to keep you all in our daily prayers. May we also ask that everyone who reads this says a prayers for my son Densey who has been in Good Samaratin Hospital since Sept. 7th Critical Care Unit #14. Both Alex & Densey had tragedy strike them within a matter of days, Densey's May 27,2009. We need God's intervention & healing hands to see Densey through this. If you can spare the time, please call 630-275-5900 & ask for the nurse in critical care #14 for Officer Cole. She will then write down your name & prayerfully when he comes through this, he will know who was thinking of him. Bless all of you & stay safe. Louise Cole
Gee, Blago has been convicted twice in the last eighteen months and still no sentence?
And Drew Peterson has not been convicted of anything and is still in jail for over two years pending a trial?
American Justice ?????
With the Judicial System of Illinois he will probably get probation, or Be commuted by Govenor Quinn.
What's up with the defense lawyer, former cpd and saying the gun was planted.
This is great news in the wake of the injustice that happened at 26th Street last month.
Thankfully our prayers were answered.
God bless the Valadez family.
I pray for the two officers who were wronged to have he strength to carry on.
"Tape played at trial has alleged shooter saying he fired at slain cop"
That is the Tribune headline directly underneath this one :
"Man Guilty in Officer's Slaying"
It is patently offensive to use the word "alleged" when dealing with a CONVICTED murderer!!! Especially when the victim is a Police Officer. As SCC has correctly pointed out, there is an incredible bias against the Police in the Yellow Journalism Rags that pass themselves off as newspapers.
I will pray for Officer Valadez's Son and for his family. My the Lord grant you some measure of peace.
Where is Judge Roy Bean's Old Wild West court room when we need it. Found guilty...right outside to the Hangin Tree. No appeals. Bye Bye!
Finally justice for Alex and his family. I know it won't bring Alex back, but they can maybe have some closure.
From the detectives to the arresting Officers to the Officer who wrote the citation, Thanks For A Job Well Done.
May GOD watch over the Valadez family.
Thank you to the jury for doing the right thing by Officer Valadez with this verdict. The tragic part is that no matter how long we lock this vermin up for, a good officer has still been taken from us and won't be coming back. RIP Officer Valadez.
There was a lot of love in the front two rows during the trial, the Valadez family supporting each other. Brenda spreading that love to the officers sitting behind them with that beautiful smile. So much sadness behind those eyes.
What a waste. No amount of time is enough for that useless animal. Here is the best reason to bring back the death penalty. He cannot be fixed. Unrepentant, no remorse, and would do it again in a heartbeat if given a chance.
We will feed and cloth him and TRY to keep him in jail and away from our loved ones. There are many more like him out there. We will find them too.
This is the type of judge's sentence we need again, not big chicken shit Quinn and his pussy administration
---
Jose Manuel Miguel Gonzales, in a few short weeks it will be spring. The snows of winter will flow away, the ice will vanish, the air will become soft and balmy. The annual miracle of the years will awaken and come to pass.
But you will not be there.
The rivulet will run its soaring course to the sea. The timid desert flowers will put forth their tender shoots. The glorious valleys in this imperial domain will blossom as the rose.
Still you will not be there.
From every treetop, some wildwood songster will carol his mating song. Butterflies will sport in the sunshine. The gentle breeze will tease the tassels of the wild grasses and all nature will be glad.
You won't be there to enjoy it because I command the sheriff of the county to lead you away to some remote spot, swing you by the neck from a knotting bough of some sturdy oak, and let you hang until you are dead.
And then, Jose Manuel Miguel Xavier Gonzalez, I further command that such officer retire quickly from your dangling corpse, that vultures may descend from the heavens upon your filthy body until nothing shall remain but bare, bleached bones of a cold-blooded, blood-thirsty, throat-cutting, chili-eating, sheep-herding, murdering son of a bitch.
---
Ah, Judge Roy Bean, where are you now that we need you?
What a shame about Valadez and his family. It's also a damn shame that some semi-literate, shitbag savage snuffed out a cop's life and all we can do is pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to put him in a prison where he can convert to islam and preach hate and evil to other prisoners. Too bad we can't take him out back and give him a short-drop hanging. It's what he deserves and we as a nation would be better and stronger for hanging him.
A small reminder, to PO's young and old (Cmdrs.& ADS's too).
When you are under subpoena by a PD or private attorney, you don't have to 'confer' with them, prior to hitting the stand.
In fact, you should NOT talk to them. Tell them "Ask me on the stand".
They are not your friend, and are trying to impeach you on the stand, by talking to you ahead of time.
Makes your appearance a little bit more nerve-racking, since you don't know what you will be asked, but why help them on their case? Esp. when WE are the victim.
May God Bless the Valadez Family.
What's up with the defense lawyer, former cpd and saying the gun was planted.
----------------------------------
It is the job of the defense lawyer to come up with some kind of defense. If you were on trial for something, your lawyer would do whatever he could to help you.
Given the level of faith the general population has in CPD these days, suggesting the evidence was planted is not a bad tactic. Not real likely to work in this case, but a similar tactic worked in a very recent case quite well. Of course in that case there was a lot more doubt about certain aspects of the testimony.
Whatever former job he may have had is not relevant to the defense he presents. Of course, you really should know that already.
Just curious, I called the hospital for Densey to have my name listed and the nurse told me that they were NOT making a list. Only Densey's wife can authorize them to do this and she has not at this time.
Anyone else try?
The story mentions his lack of emotion. You see that same scary look on gangstas and wannebees on the street and on the CTA; dead eyes over a slack, expressionless face. How many people have died with that look as the last thing they see?
Two days ago on the Brown Line I was being stared at in that way by a kid no more than twelve and probably younger. Creeped me out.
Here's hoping that this one never sees the outside again.
Dear Valadez family, know that every person that wears a uniform in defense on our homeland has sorrow in their hearts for your loss and the pain that your family is going through. May the good Lord bless you all.
good.
However, without the death penalty, this shitbird still wins. He goes to jail a cop killer. He will live a long life on our dime. He will get the respect of his "peers". No jail guard that wants to still pay his mortgage will touch him. And every 10 years or so we will have to go through the pain of parole hearings.
RE: On behalf of P.O.Densey Cole, . Louise Cole
I did call the hospital to let Densey know I was thinking of him and praying for him but was informed by his nurse "Lynn" that she didn't want anyone calling because there were hundreds of calls and she wants the calls to stop....just thought you should know Mrs Cole. Prayerful thoughts and wishes for Densey and your family
Justice would be a needle in the arm.
What's up with the defense lawyer, former cpd and saying the gun was planted.
A legend in his own mind
Great job, to all involved.
I know a lot of officers may not be a big fan of Anita Alvarez and I know she certainly has her own agenda but Kudos to her, she did an outstanding job. Thank you Anita. Atta girl!!
Great news! Great Job by all. CPD, CCSAO. ISP, ISP Lab and everyone else on the prosecution team-Congratulations!
I believe strongly in a death sentence for this type of crime. People talk of "Closure". Knowing that the person, who killed my family member is put to death, that is about as close to "Closure" I think you can get. Knowing he is lifting weights in prison, doesn't do it for me. Thanks Gov. Quinn.
RIP PO Valadez. My prayers to his family. Thank God justice is served. A small triumph, even though it will not change the past.
Brenda Valadez = Class Act!!!!
God bless Alex and his family and everyone who worked hard to get to this point.
What's up with the defense lawyer, former cpd and saying the gun was planted.
9/29/2011 04:46:00 AM
Maybe they should investigate the lawyers gun pinches from back in the day, maybe that was his way of doing business
Brenda:
Alex's son will never walk alone. Never.
God bless Alex, his family and all the men and women of the CPD.
022 Sgt. (Retired)
At last a jury in Cook County FINALLY gets it right!
Too bad the death penalty has been
abolished and the "Thunderbolt" is
no longer in the basement of the
jail for Mr. Gaston to "ride".
9:14 You are obviously not CPD or law enforcement at all...its shocking b/c that feels like the ultimate betrayal
Great news! Thanks to everyone involved for their hard work, and to all who stopped by the courtroom to show their support. May he receive the maximum sentence allowable. Prayers for the Valadez Family and for his partner as well.
O.T. - Some justice for P/O Jim Mullen:
"Officer Jim Mullen's shooter died yesterday in prison. The offender, George Guirsch, was convicted of Jim’s shooting and sentenced to life in prison. Jim was shot on October 16, 1996 while responding to a call of gunshots being fired from an apartment building in the 1400 block of W. Estes. He has been paralyzed from the neck down since."
Anonymous said...
RE: On behalf of P.O.Densey Cole, . Louise Cole
I did call the hospital to let Densey know I was thinking of him and praying for him but was informed by his nurse "Lynn" that she didn't want anyone calling because there were hundreds of calls and she wants the calls to stop....just thought you should know Mrs Cole. Prayerful thoughts and wishes for Densey and your family
9/29/2011 12:20:00 PM
DITTO, also was told you need a password from his wife to get information about Densey!
To Ofc. Valadez and family, cherish
the fond memories of the good times
you all shared with your bother and
be sure to share with his son as he
grows up what a hero his father was. God bless you and the family.
HANG THE BASTARD!
Oh wait. That's right, I forgot...this is Illinois.
They don't hang ANYONE here anymore, no matter how evil they are!
Bring back Judge PARKER!
Thank heavens!
but a Cook County jury...
it's really just a crapshoot these days. i have very little faith in the jury pool so this was a pleasant surprise
I know a lot of officers may not be a big fan of Anita Alvarez and I know she certainly has her own agenda but Kudos to her, she did an outstanding job. Thank you Anita. Atta girl!!
PLlllease. She had a slam dunk. She would go to trial on anything other than that!
to 9:14
He is to provide a defense that ensures the clients rights are not violated and to present a case for the truth. WITH INTEGRITY. Not grasp at creating doubt with untruths. Did he really believe that evidence was fabricated or planted? Then he should have refused to present that argument. If his client insisted then he should have had himself removed rather than condone the bullshit that he tried to pull.
Brenda Valadez = Class Act!!!!
The Best of People! Glad I know her, proud to stand with her.
Strong? OMG!!! Atlas Shrugged, Brenda wouldn't!
Anonymous said... What's up with the defense lawyer, former cpd and saying the gun was planted.
----------------------------------
It is the job of the defense lawyer to come up with some kind of defense. If you were on trial for something, your lawyer would do whatever he could to help you.
Given the level of faith the general population has in CPD these days, suggesting the evidence was planted is not a bad tactic. Not real likely to work in this case, but a similar tactic worked in a very recent case quite well. Of course in that case there was a lot more doubt about certain aspects of the testimony.
Whatever former job he may have had is not relevant to the defense he presents. Of course, you really should know that already.
9/29/2011 09:14:00 AM
______________
In other words "tactic" means lie so a cop killer can walk. Hope you can sleep at night scumbag. Fuck you.
It's heartbreaking thinking about a little boy growing up without the loving guidance of his father. May God bless and watch over the Valadez family.
May this verdict give the family of Officer Valadez some closure. A death sentence would have been preferable.
He'll be King Shit in the Joint, like this will adversely affect his life? Get real
O.T. - Some justice for P/O Jim Mullen:
"Officer Jim Mullen's shooter died yesterday in prison. The offender, George Guirsch, was convicted of Jim’s shooting and sentenced to life in prison. Jim was shot on October 16, 1996 while responding to a call of gunshots being fired from an apartment building in the 1400 block of W. Estes. He has been paralyzed from the neck down since."
---------------------------
I work in 024, was in 024 the night of the shooting and knew this day would come. He was treated like a KING by the gangbangers in prison. He played off of his new status. Cook County sheriffs told me he didn't suffer in prison.
Just curious, I called the hospital for Densey to have my name listed and the nurse told me that they were NOT making a list. Only Densey's wife can authorize them to do this and she has not at this time.
Anyone else try?
9/29/2011 09:33:00 AM
RE: On behalf of P.O.Densey Cole, . Louise Cole
I did call the hospital to let Densey know I was thinking of him and praying for him but was informed by his nurse "Lynn" that she didn't want anyone calling because there were hundreds of calls and she wants the calls to stop....just thought you should know Mrs Cole. Prayerful thoughts and wishes for Densey and your family"
I just called and was nicely told that they are NOT taking messages for DC because it takes too much time away from treating DC and other patients. I responded she should tell that to Cole’s family.
I pray to God that DC comes thru this 100% OK.
O.T. - Some justice for P/O Jim Mullen:
"Officer Jim Mullen's shooter died yesterday in prison. The offender, George Guirsch, was convicted of Jim’s shooting and sentenced to life in prison.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now Mr. Guirsch REALLY gets to answer for his actions.
Anita Alvarez and her team did an EXCELLENT job. A lot of time and hard work went into preparing for this 8 day trial....Thank you for all your hard work.
May God bless the Valadez family.
RIP My brother. May St. Michael protect you in heaven. And god bless your family.
What everyone has written is beautiful. I just wish deeep down it was the other way around. YOu will be missed. God bless the CPD and you all be careful out there.
What a shame about Valadez and his family. It's also a damn shame that some semi-literate, shitbag savage snuffed out a cop's life and all we can do is pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to put him in a prison where he can convert to islam and preach hate and evil to other prisoners. Too bad we can't take him out back and give him a short-drop hanging. It's what he deserves and we as a nation would be better and stronger for hanging him.
9/29/2011 08:37:00 AM
TEN FOUR
It is the job of the defense lawyer to come up with some kind of defense. If you were on trial for something, your lawyer would do whatever he could to help you.
Given the level of faith the general population has in CPD these days, suggesting the evidence was planted is not a bad tactic. Not real likely to work in this case, but a similar tactic worked in a very recent case quite well. Of course in that case there was a lot more doubt about certain aspects of the testimony.
Whatever former job he may have had is not relevant to the defense he presents. Of course, you really should know that already.
9/29/2011 09:14:00 AM
What I know is that every lawyer lies, fabricates evidence and coaches 'witnesses' to say what they want. They suborn perjury. Of course, you really DID know that already.
A lawyers job is to uphold the law, the same as police and prosecutors. They have PERVERTED the justice system into the 'win at any cost' system. You NEVER see a lawyer indicted for crimes he commits in court on a daily basis. So don't ever get on your high horse and tell me they are champions of justice.
There are good lawyers on our side, and there are lawyers that are criminals on their side. They know the truth and they try to hide it and besmirch victims and law officers in order to enrich their bank accounts. They don't care about victims, society or right and wrong, just the money. It is just that simple.
If you know a criminal lawyer, you know a criminal.
9/29/2011 09:14:00 AM
You are a tool. We have allowed everybody to use "By any means necessary." However, there is a difference between saying there was no DNA of his clients on the firearm and saying the police planted it. While it is a matter of wording, one is legitimate and one is unethical.
The lawyer/ex cop is a piece of garbage. No self respecting ex police officer would represent him. Hes worse than any other lawyer. F him.
"I know a lot of officers may not be a big fan of Anita Alvarez and I know she certainly has her own agenda but Kudos to her, she did an outstanding job. Thank you Anita. Atta girl!!
PLlllease. She had a slam dunk. She would go to trial on anything other than that! "
The kudos are well-deserved--for her and the whole prosecution/Police team.
BUT How do you know "she has her own agenda" I see this so often on this blog--that she's a police hater. I've never heard anyone who knows her personally, or who has actually worked on a case with her, say the crap about her that appears on this blog. It's a reputation with SCC blog commenters that is not accurate.
Great Job. Justice was served.
Rot in Hell you pussy gangbanging piece of shit!!!
Signed,
Blue Shirt CPD
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