Phoenix – Essa Williams is set to receive his sentence on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. after a jury convicted him of attempting first‑degree murder of a law‑enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of misconduct involving weapons for the 2021 shooting of rookie Officer Tyler Moldovan.
Trial and conviction
The trial concluded in less than an hour of deliberation. Williams faces a potential life sentence and is ineligible for suspension, probation, pardon, or early release until he has served at least 25 years. Earlier this year, he waived the aggravation phase, forgoing a separate hearing that could have increased his penalty.
Details of the shooting
On Dec. 14, 2021, Officer Moldovan and his partner, Officer Zach Johnson, responded to a call about drivers performing donuts near 19th Avenue and Camelback Road, nine months into Moldovan’s tenure. While on scene, Williams opened fire, striking Moldovan eight times, including two shots to the head. Johnson testified that he heard gunfire, turned, and saw Moldovan on the ground.
Williams also intended to shoot Johnson, but the officer tackled him and secured his arrest before further shots could be fired.
Officer Moldovan’s injuries and recovery
Moldovan suffered multiple gunshot wounds: two to the head, plus injuries to his shoulder, thumb, wrist, hip, and legs, resulting in brainstem damage. He spent months in the hospital and underwent extensive rehabilitation. A year after the attack, his wife, Chelsea, reported that he was speaking and breathing on his own.
In a 2022 interview, Moldovan said his earliest memory after the incident was from March 2022, describing the period as “blurry” and recalling the gradual realization of his injuries.
Prosecution and defense arguments
Prosecutors presented evidence that Williams fired 15 rounds while attempting to flee, and quoted him saying, “What are ya’ll going to do? Ya’ll going to lock me up?” Defense attorneys objected, arguing the prosecutor’s language stereotyped Williams, but the judge overruled the objection. The defense sought a mistrial, claiming the prosecution used inflammatory language and alleged “blatant racism,” but the court denied those requests.
Williams was a parolee with nine prior felony convictions at the time of the shooting and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. His mother and girlfriend later pleaded guilty to providing him guns, though none of those weapons were used in the attack.
Next steps
The sentencing hearing will determine the length of Williams’s imprisonment, with the possibility of life behind bars. The case underscores the serious repercussions for violent assaults on police officers and the commitment of Phoenix law‑enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
