Officer Who Fatally Shot 95-Year-Old With Beanbag Gun Faces Verdict Feb. 6

MARKHAM, Ill. (AP) -- A Cook County judge who presided over the trial of a suburban Chicago police officer who shot and killed a 95-year-old World War II veteran with a beanbag gun says he will announce his verdict next month.

The Cook County state's attorney's office says the trial before Judge Luciano Panici ended Friday and Panici will issue his ruling Feb. 6.

Prosecutors charged Park Forest Police Officer Craig Taylor with felony reckless conduct in a confrontation last year with John Wrana.  During this week's trial, prosecutors contended Taylor had better and safer options than to shoot Wrana repeatedly with a weapon that fires beanbags at 190 miles per hour.

Taylor's attorney contended Taylor acted properly when faced with the threat of a knife-wielding Wrana. Both sides presented expert witnesses and Taylor testified he feared for his life.

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