UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) — A former Maryland officer convicted in a shooting that paralyzed a handcuffed suspect has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Former District Heights police Sgt. Johnnie Riley was sentenced Thursday in Prince George's County Circuit Court. He could have faced up to 45 years in prison.
In September 2012, prosecutors say Riley shot a handcuffed man, identified as Kalvin Kyle, in the back after Kyle got out of a police cruiser and ran away. Kyle was left paralyzed. Riley had pulled Kyle over on suspicion of driving a stolen motorcycle.
Riley, also an Iraq war veteran, was convicted of assault, using a handgun during a violent crime and misconduct in office.
Riley's attorney, Allen Wolfe, didn't immediately return a call for comment. He has characterized the shooting as an action Riley took on a fleeing felon.
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