Suspect Steven Montano testifies in own defense in trial for murder of Chicago police Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Closing arguments could be presented to the jury as early as Friday in the case against the man accused of murdering Chicago police Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso.

Steven Montano is accused of murdering Officer Vásquez Lasso in March 2023.

In the fourth day of the Montano’s trial, the suspect testified in his own defense following testimony from an assistant medical examiner.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The trial continued Friday morning with testimony from Cook County Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Meredith Reynolds. Her review of the officer’s autopsy was the final piece of the state’s evidence before resting their case.

In her testimony, Reynolds provided details about the injuries sustained by Vásquez Lasso, noting a fatal bullet wound to the head, as well as additional wounds to his left leg and forearm.

RELATED | Widow of slain CPD Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso first to testify in accused murderer’s trial

Reynolds examined autopsy photos with the jury. During this time, Montano continued to look down at his feet and rarely looking at the pictures.

Vásquez Lasso’s family was in court and became emotional as the photos were shown in court while the suspect was mostly expressionless.

Dr. Reynolds also examined the clothing Officer Vásquez Lasso was wearing when he was shot with the jury.

After the state rested its case, Montano took the stand to testify.

Prosecutors said Montano was running from a home on South Spaulding from which his girlfriend had called 911 about a domestic disturbance.

Montano allegedly fired at Officer Vásquez Lasso, and Montano was shot in the chin. His attorneys are making the argument that this was a tragedy and a bad choice, but not murder.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Chicago police officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso shot, killed in Gage Park; suspect charged with murder

Montano told jurors about years of interactions with police in which he says he was unjustly targeted by officer, stopped, searched and let go.

In one incident in 2022, jurors saw video of a stop in which Montano was charged with resisting arrest, but the case was dismissed.

Regarding March 1 2023, Montano’s girlfriend at the time called police reporting a domestic disturbance.

Montano told jurors he was afraid of the police and he wanted to hide his illegal gun, so he ran.

He says he heard someone saying ‘stop,’ but he was in such fear that he didn’t know who it was and he just fired.

His attorney, Brett Balmer, asked, “Steven was your intention to shoot a police officer?”

Montano responded, “No, it was not.”

Balmer asked, “Was it your intention to shoot anyone?”

Montano answered, “No, it was not.”

Under cross examination by prosecutor Kevin Nolan, Montano acknowledged he knew police were there and were chasing him.

Nolan asked, “You knew these officers were rolling up on you and you took the gun?”

Montano responded, “Yes.”

The defendant also acknowledged he was never physically hurt during any interaction with police.

A prosecutor asked, “What accounts for your behavior?”

Montano told jurors, “Fear.”

John Catanzara, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, has been in court to support the officers family and shared his view of the trial.

“Hoping the jury can see through all of this and we can be done with this once and for all,” Catanzara said.

The officer’s widow left court before Vásquez Lasso’s autopsy was discussed.

Closing arguments could possibly come Friday or Monday.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Developing: Suspect Rams Car Into L.A. Crowd, Dozens Injured, At Least One Person Shot

Breaking: Car Plows Into Los Angeles Crowd, Leaving Dozens Injured, with At Least One Shot

Early Saturday morning, an unidentified suspect drove a vehicle into a group…
Headshot of Pete DeJoy, Cofounder and SVP of Product at Astronomer.

Meet Pete DeJoy: The Interim CEO of Astronomer Replacing Andy Byron After Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ Incident

ASTRONOMER has appointed a new interim CEO following a viral “kiss cam”…
Kim Jong Un sitting at a table.

Kim Jong-un Seeks Ozempic at Any Cost, Plans Trials on Civilians First

KIM Jong-un is “sparing no effort or expense” to get his hands…
Rubio says Israel strike on Syrian military headquarters ‘likely a misunderstanding’

Rubio suggests Israel’s attack on Syrian military HQ was ‘probably a mistake’

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that he thinks Israel’s…
First-ever brown bear emergency issued in Japanese town

Japanese Town Issues First-Ever Emergency Alert for Brown Bear

A hunter disappeared in Japan near a recent sighting of a brown…
A vehicle drives into a crowd in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people, including at least 3 critically

Vehicle Plows into Crowd in Los Angeles, Injuring 30 People, Including 3 Critically

A car plowed into a group of individuals gathered outside a nightclub…
Stadium crowd holding up lights.

Tech CEO Andy Byron and HR Chief Captured on Kiss Cam at Coldplay Concert

TECH boss Andy Byron and his HR chief were spotted “all over…
Couple embracing on a large screen.

Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal Could Jeopardize Andy Byron & Kristen Cabot’s Careers and Impact $1.3bn Company, According to Lawyers

A KISS cam that caught a tech CEO and his HR chief…
Florida attorney general identifies wrongful charges under halted immigration law

Florida Attorney General Discovers Erroneous Charges Linked to Suspended Immigration Law

In late May, St. Johns County deputies arrested two men more than…
Stunt legend Felix Baumgartner’s fatal crash witnesses heard large boom as paraglider spun out of control

Stunt Legend Felix Baumgartner’s Fatal Crash: Witnesses Report Hearing Loud Boom as Paraglider Spiraled

Beachgoers sensed something was amiss when a loud boom echoed and a…
Huckabee Threatens to Declare Israel Does Not Welcome Christians Amid Visa Row

Huckabee Warns Israel May Be Alienating Christian Visitors

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has threatened to publicly accuse Israel of no…
What to know about arson and explosives units after blast at training facility in Los Angeles

Understanding the Role of Arson and Explosives Units Following a Blast at a Los Angeles Training Center

On Friday, three officers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s arson…