Trial date set for teen accused of running over Orlando police officer

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A teenager facing life in prison on charges that he ran over an Orlando police officer might be contemplating a plea deal for much less time, the victim told Channel 9 on Tuesday.

Edward Kelty is accused of driving the vehicle that ran over Officer William Anderson on July 13, 2015, police said.

Anderson was responding to a shots-fired call when he pulled over Kelty’s vehicle, police said.

Kelty is accused of running over Anderson. The police officer fired into the vehicle and struck Kelty’s arm, police said.

Anderson was severely injured and has since retired from the Police Department.

Anderson has said before that he would not support any plea deal in the case against Kelty, but wondered if one would be presented to the suspect regardless.

"(The prosecutor) indicated that there is not a 'plea offer or plea deal;' however, it was brought up in conversation that would he be willing to plea to a 15-year (sentence) ... which technically, that is a plea offer," Anderson said. "It's on video. I don't know what more evidence you would want other than it (is) on video.

"Why would you want to plea out a case where you have your evidence right there in front of you?"

The state attorney's office denied that a plea deal was in the works.

Kelty has always denied being behind the wheel, police said.

"To be honest, I don't think he (Kelty) really cares how my life's changed based on everything has happened," Anderson said.

Anderson said that after meeting Wednesday with prosecutors, he no longer feels a plea deal is an option for Kelty.

"Based on our conversation in the conference room today, it's been made clear and we're on the same page," Anderson said.

Kelty remains behind bars on an attempted second-degree murder charge.

Kelty's trial is set to begin at 9 a.m. April 17.

Cox Media Group