Galt man convicted of shooting Sacramento transit officer in 2017

SACRAMENTO — The Galt man who shot a Regional Transit officer in the face during a fight on a Watt Avenue light rail platform three years ago was convicted of attempted murder and could face a life sentence in the shooting.

Sacramento Superior Court jurors on Thursday delivered their verdict against Nicory Marquis Spann in a case that was delayed for a time to determine whether Spann, now 30, was mentally fit to stand trial.

Jurors found Spann guilty of attempted murder of a peace officer and assault with a semi-automatic firearm causing great bodily injury in the June 2017 attack. Spann faces the possibility of 40 years to life in state prison at his Aug. 21 sentencing before Sacramento Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Goodman.

Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy Alex Ladwig, on loan to Regional Transit, was working the Watt Avenue station at Interstate 80 and checking fares just before 6 p.m., when he asked if Spann had a ticket.

Spann lunged at the deputy and wrestled with Ladwig, before Ladwig was shot with his service weapon, prosecutors said.

Spann served a 16-month term for his role in a double homicide in Santa Clara County nearly 10 years before the light rail platform shooting and had faced a number of misdemeanor charges in Sacramento County in the years leading up to the violent incident, according to court records.

Spann fled for a nearby motel and hid in an alcove for more than three hours before giving himself up.

Ladwig managed to call for help. He needed surgery to repair what sheriff ’s officials at the time said were “major structural facial injuries” and spent 11 days in the hospital.

Ladwig has not yet returned to full duty, according to the Sheriff ’s Office.