The sentencing hearing in the Emonte Morgan case begins Wednesday for the fatal shooting of Chicago police officer Ella French, in which Carlos Yanez was injured

CHICAGO (WLS) — The sentencing hearing in the murder of a Chicago police officer is set to begin.

Emonte Morgan faces a life sentence in prison.

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His request for a retrial was denied Wednesday morning by a judge in the criminal court building at the corner of 26th Street and California Avenue.

Morgan was charged with the 2021 murder of Chicago police officer Ella French and the wounding of her partner, Carlos Yañez.

Prosecutors say Morgan shot at police officers after they stopped his vehicle because its license plates had expired.

In March, a jury convicted Morgan on all counts, including first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Morgan's defense team filed a motion for a retrial, accusing prosecutors of making inflammatory statements that may have influenced the jury.

The judge rejected this request.

Morgan's lawyers argued that he fired his gun during a struggle with Yañez and had no intention of killing French.

The state denies this, arguing that Morgan's gun was fired six times, and not accidentally.

The courtroom is full of French's relatives and colleagues, including Yañez.

French's mother and Yañez entered the courthouse together Wednesday morning, hand in hand, as they had done at all previous court hearings.

Chicago Police Commissioner Larry Snelling is also present.

Yañez is expected to read a victim's statement sometime Wednesday along with seven others.

The judge said she expected the hearing to be lengthy.

Morgan is in court, as is his mother.

The state is demanding a mandatory life sentence.