East Orange Man Found Guilty in Cop Shooting Case

A northern New Jersey man faces up to 70 years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder stemming from a car chase with police.

Omar Bridges of East Orange was convicted in 2007, but an appeals court overturned the verdict. In the retrial, he was convicted on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property and weapons offenses.

Essex County prosecutors say Bridges shot at two Newark police officers after they chased the stolen Jaguar he was riding in. The pursuit came after a drive-by shooting in 2004, and one officer was hit in the shoulder and jaw.

Bridges was arrested several hours after the shooting in an Easton, Pa., hospital, where he was being treated under a false name. His sentencing is scheduled for June 25.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)