13-year prison sentence for man who drove at Palatine cops
A 28-year-old Chicago man who drove his car at two Palatine police officers who were trying to arrest him in 2016 has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.
After a December bench trial in front of Cook County Judge Steven Goebel, Michael Douglas was convicted of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and aggravated assault of a police officer. He was acquitted of an attempted murder charge.
The weapon charge - for aiming his car at the officers - carried the stiffest sentence. The assault charge carried a six-year sentence to be served concurrently with the longer term, court officials said.
Prosecutors said Douglas was trying to flee arrest in an apartment complex parking lot on the 500 block of Quentin Road on June 20, 2016, when he drove at the officers. One of the officers opened fire, saying he feared for their lives, and a bullet struck Douglas in the leg.
Douglas was treated for his bullet wound at a hospital before being sent to jail on $1.25 million bail. He remained in custody through his sentencing. He has to serve at least 50 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for release, court officials said.