(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Prosecutor is being heavily criticized by the law enforcement community over a plea agreement reportedly offered in the shooting of a police officer left paralyzed.
In a letter posted on social media, Samuelson’s wife, Quinn, revealed she and her husband were contacted last week by Prosecutor Sean Fagan. She said Fagan informed them a plea agreement was offered in the case.
Mrs. Samuelson said the plea would eliminate a weapons enhancement charge, meaning a potential 15 to 20 year reduction in the gunman’s potential sentence if he were found guilty during a trial.
She said the plea goes against her husband’s wishes in a case where the gunman stood over her husband to deliver a fourth shot, but the gun jammed. Mrs. Samuelson went on to say Fagan hasn’t seen her husband struggling to get out of his wheelchair or begging God daily to restore the use of his legs.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s office is publicly asking any guilty plea be removed from the case. The Fraternal Order of Police from Dunes Lodge #75 in Michigan City along with the Indiana State Police FOP have taken a similar stance.
In response, Fagan said he could not comment publicly on the specifics of the case to avoid the risk of having a mistrial declared.
“I appreciate the public feedback as the ability to advocate and speak freely is Constitutional bedrock. However, I cannot comment beyond the public record as it could be considered prejudicial to the defendant, preventing him from getting a fair trial,” Fagan said.
