CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Indiana man accused of selling a gun to one of the brothers charged with killing Chicago Police Officer Ella French is out of jail on bond. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is not pleased.
“I’m a good, kind hearted person; a gentleman. I didn’t mean no harm to anybody. I’m just a hardworking man," said Jamel Danzy, the 29-year-old alleged “straw purchaser” of the weapon that Eric Morgan used to fatally shoot Chicago Police Officer Ella French and seriously wound her partner.
Hours after being released, Jamel Danzy spoke to CBS 2’s Charlie DeMar, saying he was “devastated” by the officer’s death.
Danzy works two jobs. One as a teacher’s aide in Merrillville, Indiana and another in a restaurant.
“I’m a good person, educated, went to school got two degrees – a bachelor’s and master’s – love kids, work with kids, love my nephew. I work hard every single day. I stay out of trouble," he told CBS 2.
Danzy said he’s devastated to know the gun he bought was used to kill Officer Ella French and wound her partner.
“I don’t even want to discuss it. I just feel truly bad about the situation and that’s it," he said. “I’m truly devastated still, because I wouldn’t want that to happen to anybody."
According to prosecutors, Danzy owned the Glock Model 44 that was used in the fatal shooting, as well as the vehicle that was pulled over by Officer French and her two partners. During questioning, Danzy said he has been in a relationship with Morgan for three years and sometimes let Morgan drive the vehicle.
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Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is angry a federal magistrate allowed Danzy out of jail on a $4,500 bond. He released a statement that read:
"When I heard this afternoon that a federal judge had released the man who illegally purchased and then supplied the gun used to murder Officer Ella French, I could not believe it," Brown wrote.
"To say that I am extremely disappointed in U.S Magistrate Judge Jeffery Gilbert’s decision to release Jamel Danzy on an unsecured bond today is an understatement. Danzy was released on a $4,500 unsecured bond and court supervision. It is an outrage.
"This decision sets a dangerous precedent that straw purchasers like Danzy are not a danger to society, despite the fact that his alleged actions directly led to the murder of a Chicago Police Officer and left another in critical condition," Brown continued.
"The outrageous abundance of illegal firearms in our city and our nation is a major factor driving the violence that is continually cutting short the lives of our loved ones and fellow human beings. The role of the justice system, particularly that of federal prosecutors and judges is more important than ever, and by allowing Mr. Danzy to walk free the court has done a disservice to Officer French’s memory, to the entire Chicago Police Department, and to the thousands of men and women across the country who work around the clock, day in and day out to stem the violence that is plaguing our communities."
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert ordered Danzy’s release from federal custody on Wednesday, citing the fact he has no prior criminal record. Danzy was released on a $4,500 unsecured bond.
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