Ottawa Hills officer gets 10 years

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Former Village of Ottawa Hills police officer Thomas White was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on Monday after being convicted of shooting motorcyclist Michael McCloskey in May 2009.

White was found guilty of felonious assault on May 14 after a week-long trial in shooting McCloskey, who was shot in the back.

The victim was returning home from work May 23, 2009, in the village. The incident took place on Indian Road near Central Avenue where the two officers chased and shot at McCloskey and another motorcyclists.

The bullet discharged from White's gun paralyzed McCloskey from the waist down.

White was sentenced to seven years on the felonious assault charge and a mandatory three for the gun specification. He could have faced 11 years in prison.

The three-year mandatory sentence is that White was found guilty of having a firearm during a crime. It was contested over and over again by White's attorney. The defense counsel felt White should not face that charge since he's a police officer and is required to carry a gun while on duty

Although White was sentenced, in a rare move Common Pleas Judge Judge Gary Cook set a $100,000 appellate bond. If his family can post it, White could be released while he awaits his appeal.

Late Monday afternoon White posted the required $100,000 and was released from custody. He had spent most of the day locked up at the Lucas County jail downtown.

White had a chance to address Judge Cook and McCloskey before sentencing.

 "There's no amount of punishment or rehabilitation that would change my decision on May 23, 2009," White said in court. "At that time I did what I was required to do by law as a peace officer."

"He didn't say 'I'm sorry,' and that's why I pointed out to the court the victim is Michael McCloskey, not Officer white," said Jeff Lingo, prosecuting attorney.

Judge Cook also noted White's unwillingness to accept his guilt, something that was hard for McCloskey and his family members to accept.

The victim and the victim's family were hoping for an apology.

"Not at all," McCloskey said after the sentencing. "I didn't see it in his eyes. I think his statement said it all."

McCloskey spoke briefly with the area media after, but was hospitalized this past weekend and decided not to speak during the sentencing.