BREVARD COUNTY, Fla.,None — A Brevard County man was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder on Friday for trying to kill a Fish and Wildlife officer. Christopher Eddy, 25, was also found guilty of aggravated battery of law enforcement officer.
Eddy shot Vann Streety during a traffic stop in west Cocoa in July, 2009. Streety was shot six times and many of those shot him in the back as he was running for cover.
Eddy, however, maintained he never meant to kill the officer, but after a three-week trial and four hours of deliberation, a jury found he did try to kill the officer.
Even in shackles, Eddy claimed self defense and that he did nothing wrong.
“I was fearing for my life so I had to shoot him,” Eddy said.
Even with the maximum life sentence, he remains optimistic.
“I know everything will work out in my favor in the end,” Eddy said.
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Streety told Deal that he could never forget about the case. He has scars on one hand and his arm to remind him everyday what he survived.
Eddy had no reaction while the verdict was being read.
"We the jury find the defendant, Christopher A. Eddy, guilty of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer," read a jury member.
Eddy looked straight ahead as his fate was sealed. He was found guilty of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, meaning he is facing a mandatory life sentence.
Afterward, the newly-promoted Lieutenant Streety hugged his family and friends who were there for much of the trial.
He said he was glad it was over.
"Do you feel vindicated by the jury's decision?" WFTV reporter Kevin Oliver asked Streety.
"I'm happy that this is all over," he replied.
Eddy was surrounded by deputies as he was remanded into custody. There was no resistance as the handcuffs were put on him and he was taken back to jail.