UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — He tried to kill a police officer and will now spend years in prison — that according to prosecutors in Prince George’s County who say a dangerous man is now off the streets.
On Oct. 22, 2015, officers with the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement task force were in the midst of an investigation near New York Avenue and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway when they noticed the odd behavior of a driver.
When officers tried to stop the car, passenger Joseph Clay jumped out, said John Erzen with the Prince George’s County states attorney’s office.
“He was pursued by a county police officer and at one point, turned and tried to fire in the direction of the officer,” Erzen said.
Clay pulled a silver semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at Detective Shae Jefferson, pulling the trigger multiple times, Erzen said.
“Luckily the handgun did not fire. There was not a round in the chamber at the time,” he said.
But the gun’s magazine was loaded. Clay pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and use of handgun in commission of a crime, and was sentenced to 18 years in prison with eight years suspended.
