A federal judge has allowed prosecutors to downgrade charges against L.A. County sheriff's deputy Trevor Kirk, who was convicted of excessive force. Despite the jury's decision, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson permitted a reduction from felony to misdemeanor charges. Kirk's defense hopes for a probation sentence. The controversial move by new U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, which came shortly after Kirk's felony conviction, has sparked internal protests, resulting in resignations among federal prosecutors. Kirk's original felony conviction has significant implications for his law enforcement career.
While Wilson rejected the controversial maneuver from Essayli - in which Kirk would be sentenced to probation - he did grant the prosecution's motion to lessen the charges against the deputy to a misdemeanor, despite the jury conviction.
Kirk's defense attorney, Tom Yu, stated, 'We're grateful for the motion to be granted and we're going to prepare to make a compelling argument for probation, no jail time, probation.'
Deputy Trevor Kirk was previously convicted of felony excessive force for pepper spraying an unarmed woman, a conviction that leads to significant career consequences.
Essayli's decision to offer Kirk the rare post-conviction plea deal played a role in several federal prosecutors resigning their posts earlier this month.
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