Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - An 18-year-old who critically injured Cheektowaga police officer Troy Blackchief while driving a stolen vehicle last year pleaded guilty Monday to five felonies, but will be granted youthful offender status, as first reported by The Buffalo News, and will be sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison.
The driver was 17 at the time of the incident.
Youthful offender status means the defendant is eligible for a shorter sentence, and his record will be sealed.
The teen driver was originally charged with attempted murder and other charges as a repeat offender in Erie County. But the defense attorney was successful in having Erie County recused from the case because an Assistant District Attorney had his vehicle stolen by the same defendant in an unrelated matter.
The case was transferred to Monroe County where the defendant was granted youthful offender status. Former Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said he disagreed with the granting of youthful offender status.
"Not only that," said Flynn. "I totally disagree with defense attorney Paul Dell's comment that the attempted murder charge could not be proven. That is blatantly false. I don't indict or charge anything that I don't think I can prove. I was confident that I could prove the attempted murder of a police officer."
Blackchief was deploying "stop spikes" on Union Road in February of last year when the driver of one of two stolen SUVs being pursued by Depew police struck him. Officer Blackchief suffered a fractured skull and brain injury. He is on a long road to recovery.
The driver's attorney, Paul Dell, told The Buffalo News that despite the charges, his client was able to be in the Release Under Supervision program, has been offered college scholarships and will graduate high school with honors.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 23.