Cortnee Brantley and her attorney, Grady Irvin, headed into court today. Photo: Jay Conner/Tampa TribuneA federal judge found Cortnee Brantley guilty Wednesday of not telling authorities that her boyfriend, felon Dontae Morris, was in possession of a weapon and ammunition.
Brantley was the driver of the car involved in a motor vehicle stop June 29, 2010, that ended when Morris shot and killed Tampa Police officers Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis.
"Unfortunately the state didn't have a law or statute to cover what Ms. Brantley is accused of doing," said attorney and former federal prosecutor John Fitzgibbons, who is not connected to this case. "So the only hope was to use this old, old statute and bring her into federal court."
U.S. District Judge James Moody wrote that the jury's guilty verdict last month "by the thinnest of legal threads … is supported by the evidence."
No matter how thin, Tampa Police are pleased.
"We felt all along that her actions in the deaths of Dave Curtis and Jeff Kocab were wrong and that she should be held accountable," Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor wrote in a prepared statement. "We are pleased to see the justice system saw it the same."
Judge Moody also denied Brantley a new trial and sentencing will take place on April 29. Brantley faces a maximum of three years in federal prison.
