The man police say led police on a chase that ended with an officer's death last year has pleaded guilty. Officer Brandon Tsai had spotted a car with fake paper tags in November and tried to pull the driver over.
Police say Colbie Hoffman, 22, sped off. Tsai crashed during the chase.
Hoffman was charged with felony counts of evading arrest causing death and tampering with evidence. The tampering with evidence charge stemmed from his use of a fake paper tag.
Thursday, Hoffman pleaded guilty to both counts. A Dallas County judge sentenced him to ten years in prison for tampering with evidence and 12 years for evading arrest. The two sentences will be served simultaneously.
Grand Prairie Police officers filled the courtroom during the hearing Thursday.
"It just felt very sterile," Chief Daniel Scesney said after the hearing. "I don't know what I was expecting, but no, I don't feel any closure."
Scesney has made several trips to Austin since the beginning of the year to speak in support of HB 718. The bill would stop the use of paper tags; dealers would instead issue metal plates.
The measure passed the Texas House unanimously and is now in the Senate.
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