Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Standoff defendant acquitted of attempted murder
By Times Staff
Published December 3, 2005
TAMPA - A former Chicago police officer was found not guilty this week of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer, but guilty of lesser offenses.
Vincent Krocka, 53, was arrested April 5, 2004, after barricading himself in his Cheval home with his two sons. During a three-hour standoff with Hillsborough sheriff's deputies, shots were fired from his second-floor apartment at 18913 Chaville Road in the direction of the police cruisers.
On Thursday Krocka was found guilty of child neglect, criminal mischief, shooting at a vehicle and other charges related to the incident.
But the attempted murder charge didn't stick.
Deputies said Krocka fired six shots from the apartment toward them, but attorneys for Krocka argued the physical evidence indicated only three bullets struck the cars.
During the standoff, Krocka called several television stations, asking them to come and film his arrest, sheriff's officials said.
Hillsborough Circuit Court Judge Wayne Timmerman is scheduled to sentence Krocka on April 10.
[Last modified December 3, 2005, 01:21:14]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
