Although Kevin Walker never fired from the car he was driving in the early morning of June 1, 2009, he positioned the vehicle so his two friends, Shawn Gaston and Christopher Harris, could get a good shot, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said in her closing arguments Tuesday.
Walker, 25, whose street nickname is “Killer Kev,” was also convicted of the attempted murder of Kelvin Thomas — the resident Valadez was interviewing when the plain-clothed officer was slain in the 6000 block of South Hermitage.
The jury returned their decision after being sequestered late Tuesday night.
Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy was in attendance as the verdict was read. After the verdict, Alvarez hugged Valadez’s family members.
Valadez, 27, and his partner were responding to a call of shots fired aimed at Walker and the two others when he was killed.
Valadez was “protecting” the three men. But the three men thanked the officer for his service with a hail of bullets as they tried to retaliate against their enemies, prosecutors said.
Two years ago, Alvarez also prosecuted Gaston in her first case since her 2008 election.
Gaston, 24, was convicted and is currently serving a 125-year prison term.
Closing arguments are expected in Harris’ trial before Cook County Judge Jorge Alonso later Wednesday.
In 2010, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office drafted and helped pass the “Valadez Law,” which mandates a prison sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm by a gang member.
