Attorney: Illinois officer in beanbag shooting not reckless

MARKHAM, Ill. (AP) - An attorney for a suburban Chicago police officer who killed a 95-year-old man with a beanbag gun says his client acted properly in trying to subdue the man.

In his opening remarks, attorney Terry Ekl told a judge Tuesday that Park Forest police officer Craig Taylor was aiming for parts of the body where the shots would be less likely to cause serious injury.

The 43-year-old officer shot John Wrana with beanbags at close range in 2013 at the assisted living facility where Wrana lived after Wrana confronted officers with a knife and cane.

Ekl says the knife had a 7-inch blade and Wrana refused orders to drop the weapon even after being shot several times.

Prosecutors say the officer acted recklessly by firing from such a close range.