The man who ran down a young New Britain police officer with a stolen car and dragged him 100 feet last January, nearly killing him and forcing an early retirement, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Jaheem Snype, who pleaded guilty to first-degree assault despite his initial "not guilty" pleas, was sentenced Thursday in New Britain Superior Court. He'll serve 17 years for assault and three years for arson, followed by five years of special parole.
Authorities said Snype drove into Officer Brett Morgan on Jan. 19, 2014, while Morgan was investigating a stolen car report at North and Willow streets in New Britain. Two New Britain High School students who were in the car with Snype told police he drove directly at the officer.
One told investigators "she last saw the officer on the hood of the vehicle crying and screaming for Jaheem to stop but Jaheem would not stop," according to court records.
Police launched a massive manhunt after the incident and found Snype with his half-brother, Frankie Gonzalez, close to the Canadian border in Barton, Vermont. Gonzalez, was charged with hindering prosecution for helping Snype hide from police.
Morgan's injuries have proven debilitating and have left him permanently disfigured. New Britain Police Chief James Wardwell said outside the courtroom Thursday that Morgan will not be able to go back to work.
"Brett Morgan has retired from the New Britain Police Department, but he is always part of the New Britain police family," Wardwell said.
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Snype did not apologize in court when given the opportunity to do so.
"Every moment you are out on the street, you present a danger to us all," said the judge who handed down Snype's sentence.
Snype was originally charged with assault on a public safety officer, first-degree assault and attempted murder.
