Trevon McMorris sentenced to 15 Years in prison

Trevon McMorris was sentenced to 15 years in prison for fleeing police in a motor vehicle, resulting in the death of 50-year-old Jose Madrid Salcido of Minneapolis, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Monday.

McMorris, 27, pleaded guilty on Sept. 23 as jury selection was to begin for his trial. Serving a 15 year prison sentence was part of the agreement to settle the case.

The victim’s widow was present at the sentencing Monday. She requested a Spanish speaking victim advocate from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to translate and read it in English to the court for her. In her statement, the victim’s widow wrote, “I want McMorris to know that I do not hate him. Because Angel (Jose) hated no one. However, I cannot forgive him.”

McMorris also addressed the court, saying he “apologizes to the family and did not mean for anyone to get hurt.”

According to the criminal complaint, on May 1, Minneapolis police responded to a call of people in three vehicles making suspicious exchanges with each other. When officers arrived, one of them approached a red Dodge Durango. The driver’s side window was open and the officer obtained identification from McMorris, the driver. The officer also noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the Durango.

The officer went back to his squad car to run routine checks on McMorris. Suddenly, McMorris sped away, nearly hitting the officer who was talking to the other driver.

McMorris sped north on Aldrich and crashed into a dark sedan and then struck a parked car. Madrid Salcido was the driver in the dark sedan and police found him pinned inside and he died about an hour later.

Trevon McMorris Criminal Complaint (PDF)