Man sentenced to 56 years in 2020 Ohio shootout with police

LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man convicted in a shootout that wounded a police officer and also wounded him 2 1/2 years ago has been sentenced to 56 years in prison.

A Warren County judge told Christopher Hubbard, 38, of Somerville last week that he hasn’t taken any responsibility for shooting at officers in August 2020, The Journal-News reported.

“I believe you are dangerous. I believe you are manipulative,” Judge Tim Tepe told Hubbard, who could serve an additional 5.5 years if he misbehaves in prison. Hubbard declined to speak on the advice of his attorney, who has vowed an appeal.

Authorities said a 28-mile pursuit from Middletown ended in the Turtlecreek Township, where the driver wounded a Middletown officer and law enforcement officers then opened fire. State investigators said the officer was shot in the arm, finger and right leg and Hubbard was hit 10 to 13 times after eight officers returned his fire.

A county jury earlier this month acquitted him of attempted murder but convicted him after two hours of deliberation on charges of felonious assault, weapons crimes and other counts including a second-degree misdemeanor charge of assaulting a police dog.

Defense attorneys had argued he acted in self-defense when the pursuit triggered post-traumatic stress disorder. Hubbard testified that he fled because he was afraid and was trying to find a safe place to stop, and he fired only after he was cut by broken window glass — and then only at the police dog.

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