Man accused of killing Chicago police officer takes stand in own defense

CHICAGO (WGN) — The man accused of killing a Chicago Police officer in 2023 took the stand in his own defense Friday ahead of closing arguments on Monday.

Steven Montano faces a first-degree murder charge and felony gun charges in the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso. It will be up to a Cook County jury to determine the credibility of Montano’s testimony.

Jurors will have the weekend to ponder.

Inside the Cook County Criminal Courthouse, Montano testified that he was terrified by police.  Montano described alleged encounters as a boy with CPD, though his account, at times, stopped short of seemingly corroborating evidence. Montano’s fear of police, he told jurors, was the reason why he fled on foot in March of 2023 as patrol officers and Andres Vasquez Lasso responded to a domestic disturbance call placed by Montano’s girlfriend.

“The justification, the explanation, the reasoning, it is all smoke and mirrors and nonsense. I get that everybody is entitled to their day in court, but none of what he’s testified to makes any sense,” said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara following Friday’s court proceedings.

The now 21-year-old Montano did not deny on the witness stand that he had fatally shot Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso in 2023. In cross-examination, however, Montano testified that he doesn’t remember firing his gun.

Bodycam video captured what prosecutors say is the defendant firing his pistol — which he was not licensed to carry — five times, claiming the 32-year-old officer’s life. Officers quickly arrested Montano, recovering what forensic experts said was the .45 caliber murder weapon.

In fierce cross-examination by Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Kevin Nolan, Montano seemed to contradict himself, unwilling or unable to answer Nolan’s question about how Montano came into possession of the semi-automatic.

Montano also testified that he was unaware that Chicago police officers were pursuing him during the foot chase.  

Closing arguments are expected to begin on Monday, with jurors deliberating Montano’s fate soon thereafter.