Teen Driver Who Dragged Cop Beats Attempted Murder Charge: DA

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN -- A Brooklyn teen who drove off with police officer clutching onto his car door, then throwing the cop at a high speed with enough force to cause catastrophic brain injuries from which the officer is likely never to recover, was convicted of assault but not attempted murder, court records show.

Justin Murrell, 17, will spend a maximum of 10 years in jail for his encounter with Officer Dalsh Veve, 36, on the corner of Tilden Avenue and East 53rd Street on June 3, 2017, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

Because Murrell was younger than 16 when the crime was committed, he cannot be sentenced to more than 10 years in jail when he faces a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge on Jan. 7, prosecutors said.

Veve was investigating reported gunshots at the East Flatbush corner when he walked up to an idling black Honda Civic and put his hands on the car, prosecutors said.

Murrell hit the gas and sped away at about 60 miles-per-hour as the police officer clung to the side of the car, said prosecutors.

Veve pulled out his gun and shot the teen in the jaw, but he was unable to stop Murrell from swerving and eventually throwing him onto the concrete before the stolen Honda crashed, prosecutors said.

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Murrell ran 20 blocks to Kings County Hospital, fled when he spotted police, ditched his bloody clothes then sought treatment at Brookdale Hospital, said prosecutors.

The cop suffered severe brain injuries that required a year of rehab and have left him permanently dependent on 24-hour care, said prosecutors.

The teen did not suffer any lasting physical damage from the crash, prosecutors said.

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