Teen who was accused of dragging NYPD cop with a stolen car last year in Brooklyn was acquitted of attempted murder.
Justin Murrell, now 17, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison when he returns to state Supreme Court in Brooklyn for sentencing Jan. 7 because he was younger than 16 at the time of the incident.
Murrell was driving a stolen car when officer Dalsh Veve performed a routine traffic stop in June 2017.
The teen sped away with Veve holding onto the side of the vehicle, and dragged the 9-year-NYPD veteran for several blocks.
Veve was so injured he cannot walk on his own, or remember his daughter or wife. He was in treatment for almost a year following the incident and was only released this past May.
Murrell's attorney said during the trial that his client did not intend to hurt the officer.
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch blasted the verdict, and called Murrell a “baby-faced punk.”
“The jury’s not guilty [verdict] in the attempted murder of PO Dalsh Veve is wrong. It is just by the grace of God that Dalsh is alive today.” Lynch said in his own statement. “This punk knew he had a police officer hanging off the side of the stolen car that he was driving and he intentionally drove wildly in an attempt to kill the officer.”
Murrell is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 7.
