Cop killer's brother gets prison

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - A man whose brother shot and killed a West Michigan public safety officer earlier this year will spend four years in prison for his role in the incident.

Kim Robert Statler was sentenced Monday to the prison term plus three years of supervised release by Chief Judge Paul Maloney in US Federal Court.

A government sentencing memo obtained by 24 Hour News 8 recommended Statler be sentenced to 41 to 51 months in prison. He pleaded guilty in July to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Statler was arrested the night of April 18 when his brother, Leonard Daniel Statler, shot and killed Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata. Danny Statler later turned the gun on himself at the scene in the 1400 block of Hays Park Avenue.
Kim Statler's lawyer says his client is being wrongfully punished, and that Kim is paying for his brother's crime.

Authorities say guns under Kim Statler's control were used in Zapata's death. Statler was at the scene where Officer Zapata was killed.

After Zapata was shot, police searched the home where Statler was living and found 11 guns. They also found two guns outside the home, including the one used to kill Officer Zapata and Danny Statler.