BY DAN ROZEK Staff Reporter drozek@suntimes.com July 30, 2013 4:36PM
Kerin Ramirez. Photo from Facebook
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Updated: July 30, 2013 5:03PM
A drunk Harper College wrestler shot while scuffling with an off-duty cop in the officer?s DuPage County home was convicted of trespassing but acquitted of a more serious charge of home invasion.
The split decision issued Tuesday by Judge George Bakalis comes three months after a jury couldn?t reach a verdict on the same home invasion charge facing 22-year-old Kerin Ramirez.
The ruling also means Ramirez, who was jailed for 18 months before going to trial last April, likely won?t serve any additional time behind bars.
Now free on bond, Ramirez faced a 6- to 30-year prison term if he had been convicted of home invasion.
His conviction for felony criminal trespass carries a maximum 3-year prison term. The jail time Ramirez already has served makes it unlikely he?ll spend any more time in custody, defense attorney Gal Pissetzky said.
Ramirez was charged following a Sept. 24, 2011 fight with Wood Dale Police Sgt. Michael Peters that erupted about 7 a.m. when a drunken Ramirez walked into the cop?s house after leaving a party in a nearby home.
Peters testified Ramirez attacked him, touching off a lengthy fight that ultimately included a neighbor who tried to aid Peters. Peters said he shot Ramirez once in the abdomen because the two men couldn?t subdue the college wrestler.
Ramirez?s attorney argued he mistakenly walked into the unlocked house and was quickly shot by the enraged officer.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 19.
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