Conviction overturned for ‘cannibal cop’

A federal judge has overturned a conviction of a former New York City police officer in an uncommon case involving plotting to kidnap, kill, and eat young women. On Monday, Judge Paul Gardephe determined that there was “insufficient evidence” to support convicting Gilberto Valle.

According to the Associated Press, Defense attorney Julia Gatto said on Tuesday, “The judge's well-reasoned decision validates what we have said since the beginning: There was no crime. Gil Valle is innocent of any conspiracy. Gil is guilty of nothing more than having unconventional thoughts."

Valle would have faced life in prison, if the judgment had been upheld. Valle has been in jail since 2012, and was convicted in March 2013. After the judge’s decision, Gatto said that Valle will be free.

Valle was called the “cannibal cop.” Valle was 30 years old, according to Reuters. He was found guilty of illegal database use. Gardephe upheld Valle's conviction on a charge of illegally gaining access to the law enforcement database. That offense carried a maximum sentence of one year. Valle was fired from being a police officer after his conviction.

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