Man accused of running over Orlando police officer takes plea deal

ORLANDO, Fla. — The man accused of hitting an Orlando police officer with a car in 2015 entered a last-minute no contest plea Tuesday.

The deal was struck just as a jury was about to be selected for a trial.

Prosecutors said Edward Kelty was behind the wheel of the car Officer William Anderson tried to stop on Kirkman Road.

Investigators said Kelty rammed Anderson with the vehicle and drove away. The incident was captured on dashcam video.

Anderson was in the area responding to a shots-fired call when he pulled over Kelty’s vehicle.

Investigators said Kelty burned the car to destroy the evidence.

Kelty, 20, was a teenager at the time, but was charged as an adult.

Anderson survived but sustained career-ending injuries.

He and his wife were in court Tuesday where his wife told the judge how one moment changed their entire lives.

“He can no longer be the husband and the father he used to be,” she said.

Watch: Dashcam video of officer struck by suspect (Warning: Graphic)

Kelty was offered a plea deal before the trial; prosecutors offered 15 years, but the defense wanted 10 years.

Anderson had previously said he did not want the suspect to get a plea deal, but said he’s ready to have some closure.

“It will definitely give us closure. We were anticipating the trial. It’s actually a step forward, not a step back,” said Anderson.

A sentencing hearing was scheduled Oct. 20, to determine how long Kelty will spend in prison, but he still faces life in prison with a minimum of eight years served.

The same experts that would have spoken during the trial will be used during his sentencing hearing.

One will try and show that Anderson’s injuries were not consistent with being hit by a car.

“Although it was a very serious offense, Mr. Kelty is not a demon and people want to demonize him,” said defense attorney Roger Weeden. “But based on the offense, I think we are going to see a different presentation of him during the sentencing.”

Cox Media Group