Los Angeles police officer guilty of perjury, jury finds
A 40-year-old Los Angeles police officer was found guilty of perjury and conspiracy to obstruct justice Thursday at his retrial.
Manuel Ortiz was first put on trial in 2012 along with two former Los Angeles police officers accused of writing false reports and lying on the stand during a drug possession case.
Evan Samuel and Richard Amio were convicted and sentenced to community labor and probation, but the jury was hung 11 to 1 in favor of guilt when it came to Ortiz.
This time, a panel of six women and six men deliberated for about two hours before deciding Ortiz’s fate.
His attorney, Bill Seki, said he was disappointed and surprised by the verdict.
In his closing statement Tuesday, Deputy Dist. Atty. Geoffrey Rendon said Ortiz had committed “just about the worst crime.”
“The police control our liberty, our freedom,” Rendon said. “We’re relying on them to come to court and tell the truth and tell us what they saw.”
Ortiz, who has been on administrative leave, could face up to three years and eight months behind bars. His sentencing is scheduled for April 9.
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