“Cannibal Cop” Gilberto Valle, a 28-year-old former NYPD officer, was found guilty by a jury and convicted in a Manhattan courtroom on March 12 on charges that he plotted to kidnap, torture, murder and eat upwards of hundreds of women, according to Yahoo! News.
During the course of his trial, Valle’s defense team tried to assert that their client was simply involved in fantasy role-playing. But the jury didn’t buy that defense.
Valle’s attorney, Julia Gatto, said that the jury’s verdict was “devastating.”
"The jury was unable to get past the thoughts," Gatto said. "Obviously, the case involved thoughts that were unusual and bizarre and frankly very ugly."
Preet Bharara, attorney for the prosecution against Valle released a statement that read:
"Today, a unanimous jury found that Gilberto Valle's detailed and specific plans to abduct women for the purpose of committing grotesque crimes were very real, and that he was guilty as charged.
The Internet is a forum for the free exchange of ideas, but it does not confer immunity for plotting crimes and taking steps to carry out those crimes."
It only took the jury 16 hours stretched across four days of deliberation to come up with their guilty verdict against Valle.
Prior to their deliberations, the jury heard testimony from several of Valle’s potential victims who said they thought they were involved in innocent Internet e-mails and chats with the cannibal cop. Those potential victims weren't aware that “he was supposedly scheming to make meals out of them.”
Gilberto Valle will be sentenced on June 19, and is facing life in prison.
Also see:
- Cannibal cop Gilberto Valle’s ex testifies against estranged hubbie in court
- NYPD cop charged with plotting to kidnap, torture, cook, and eat women (Video)
- N.J. man Michael Vanhise conspired in 'cannibal cop' kidnapping and rape (Photos)
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