A man who pleaded guilty in the 2014 shooting death of a Gary police officer was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole.

Carl Le'Ellis Blount, 28, pleaded guilty last month to a murder charge in the death of Patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield, 47, who was found dead of gunshot wounds in his squad car on July 6, 2014, more than two years ago. Blount, of Gary, agreed to plead guilty through an agreement, which recommended he be sentenced to life in prison without parole, rather than the death penalty, which the prosecution previously requested.

Blount was "involved in a domestic disturbance during which he was shot outside" a Gary residence on July 6, 2014, in the 2300 block of McKinley Street, prompting Gary police officers to look for Blount, according to plea the agreement. Blount eventually encountered Westerfield, who was in his squad car, on 26th Avenue between Van Buren Place and Van Buren Street. Blount, "fearing he would be arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Porter County, Indiana, intentionally shot Officer Westerfield," the agreement states.

Blount was scheduled to begin a jury trial at the end of last month, going into February, but that was canceled when he agreed to change his plea.

Through the deal, the state agreed to dismiss the rest of his charges in the case, which included intimidation, carrying a handgun without a license, battery and theft, according to the agreement.

The state also agreed not to file a criminal case for Blount "for alleged crimes" on June 26, 2014, investigated by Gary police "in which the alleged victims were Daven James and Derrion Estes, the circumstances of which are a contested issue between parties," according to the agreement.

Police found Estes, 23, and James, 17, dead in an alley in the 1600 block of West 5th Avenue when responding to a shooting.

Blount pleads guilty in 2014 Gary cop killing Becky Jacobs

As people trickled into the courtroom Monday, Carl Le'Ellis Blount peered over his left shoulder at the clock on the wall, showing there were 10 minutes until his hearing began.

When the attorneys trickled in, followed by the judge, Blount, despite initial hesitation, stood and pleaded guilty to...

As people trickled into the courtroom Monday, Carl Le'Ellis Blount peered over his left shoulder at the clock on the wall, showing there were 10 minutes until his hearing began.

When the attorneys trickled in, followed by the judge, Blount, despite initial hesitation, stood and pleaded guilty to...

(Becky Jacobs)

Blount was on probation when the fatal shooting of Westerfield occurred, and through the deal, his probation revocation case was also dismissed.

rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs

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