Man Accused Of Shooting 2 Falmouth Cops Changes Mind On Plea Deal

FALMOUTH, MA — A man prosecutors said shot and injured two Falmouth police officers has requested a jury-waived trial in front of a judge.

Malik Koval, 23, of East Falmouth is facing several counts of assault and battery and other charges stemming from the July 2018 shooting in Falmouth. Koval's attorney initially wanted a plea deal for a lesser sentence, arguing the exchange of gunfire stemmed from an "overreaction" by police and his client's possible mental health issues. That plea deal was expected to come Tuesday, but according to the Cape Cod Times, Koval changed his mind and wants to go to trial before a judge.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Donovan, who's prosecuting the case, agreed to the trial and expected to call seven to 15 witnesses. But Donovan said he doesn't think the case is ready for trial yet. The Cape Cod Times reported Donovan wants to conduct a DNA cheek swab of Koval first, as well as an independent investigation of his mental health.

The case stemmed from a July 2018 shooting, where prosecutors said Koval shot officers Don DeMiranda and Ryan Moore in the Seacoast Shores neighborhood. Koval became agitated when the officers, who were responding to a call of a man breaking bottles in the street, confronted him, according to police.

Prosecutors said Koval went into his house, got a gun and fired at the officers. DeMiranda was shot in the chest and shoulder, and Moore was shot in the neck. Koval was then shot several times but survived.