Overview
- Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. imposed the sentence Tuesday, following a July jury conviction for first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon with a special finding that the defendant caused the death of a peace officer.
- Lyke noted a 2024 Illinois statute that makes Montano eligible to seek parole after serving at least 40 years because he was under 21 at the time of the offense.
- Prosecutors said Officer Vásquez Lasso was shot five times during a March 1, 2023 domestic disturbance response in Gage Park after a foot chase toward a school playground; the officer returned fire and wounded Montano.
- Jurors deliberated for less than two hours after viewing body-worn camera and surveillance footage and hearing testimony from the officer’s widow and colleagues, while the defense argued Montano panicked, did not realize he was shooting at police, and later apologized in court.
- State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke said the sentence provides a measure of justice, and Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara criticized the law that permits Montano to seek parole in the future.