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Jury convicts New York cop in cannibal plot

Posted at 11:33 AM, Mar 12, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-12 11:33:04-04

By CNN Staff

(CNN) — A jury convicted New York police officer Gilberto Valle on Tuesday in a plot to kidnap and eat women.

The federal jury found Valle guilty of conspiring to kidnap women and accessing a federal law enforcement database.

Prosecutors said Valle used the database to research potential victims and discussed carrying out the attacks in emails and on an online forum.

But in closing arguments last week, defense attorney Julia Gatto said Valle had done nothing more than engage in “dark improv theater,” using the identities of real people to enhance the experience.

He faces life in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Gardephe.