Emotional Testimony During Sentencing For Man Who Nearly Killed Denver Officer
DENVER (CBS4)- The courtroom was full of emotional testimony during Friday's sentencing for a man who nearly killed a Denver Police Department officer last year.
Jason Wood fired bullets at Officer Tony Lopez Jr. last December. Lopez was hit six times and lost a large amount of of blood.
Wood then stole a nearby car to try and get away. He was captured soon afterwards.
Lopez's family testified at the sentencing about how they slept on the floor of his hospital room that first night and were afraid he may lose his leg.
Lopez said he believes that justice was served in the sentence.
"I think so. Fifty-two years is a long time especially when you're 36. I don't think we'll be seeing him anymore so I'm happy about that," said Lopez.
Wood pleaded guilty to the shooting and other crimes last week. He was sentenced to 52 years in prison at Friday's sentencing.
"Who knows what he was going to do. He had an AK and 100 rounds, is what I was told, so... I mean, you can do a lot of damage, we just saw that in Orlando, it was a similar weapon. The AK actually shoots bigger rounds so who knows what he was going to do. He said he had nothing to lose and he kind of knew where he was going and I think he's going where he belongs. I think everyone is a little bit safer," said Lopez.
Denver's district attorney says both men are lucky. A simple tourniquet saved Lopez's life, and because of that Wood avoided facing a life sentence or possibly the death penalty. Lopez is still rehabbing and recovering from his injuries.
"My left foot still doesn't work so I'm waiting for that to come back, I'm hoping its the nerves, we don't really know," said Lopez.
