Longtime Fugitive Pleads No Contest to 43-Year-Old Crime

A man sought by police for more than four decades pleaded no contest Tuesday morning to charges that he shot at a South San Francisco police officer in the late 1960s.

Sixty-seven-year-old Ronald Bridgeforth, dressed in a grey jacket that matched his groomed beard, maintained a calm demeanor as he entered his plea before Judge Lisa Novak in San Mateo Superior Court in Redwood City. 

The defendant appeared stoic, hands crossed at his waist, even as Judge Novak said that Bridgeforth would receive a felony strike for assault with a deadly weapon stemming from the incident that took place in 1968.

He now faces up to 15 years in state prison. Bridgeforth will return to court for sentencing on Feb. 3.

The prospect of a long prison sentence is punishment that Bridgeforth is willing to accept, according to his attorney Paul Harris.

"He knows he is doing the right thing," said Harris, who addressed reporters outside the courtroom after his client faced the judge.

Bridgeforth, surrounded by dozens of friends and supporters in the courtroom, declined to give comment.

According to Harris, Bridgeforth's decision to turn himself in was unprovoked.

Harris said that his client elected to come forth in order to "right a wrong," as well as set a positive example for his loved ones.

"He wants to show his family and sons what a good man does," said Harris.

for firing a .38-caliber handgun at South San Francisco Police Officer George Bautista during a getaway from an alleged incident of credit card fraud in November 1968.

Bautista was not hit, but Bridgeforth was shot in the foot during the exchange of fire before being arrested.

The following year, Bridgeforth pleaded guilty to crimes related to the officer-involved shooting, but fled while out on bail before his sentencing.

Since then, Bridgeforth spent time traveling across the U.S. and Africa before settling in Michigan, where he worked odd jobs and later attended college while earning a master's degree under the assumed name "Cole Jordan."

Recently, he has worked as a college counselor and teacher.

On Tuesday, Harris commended his client for electing to come forth and "face the music."

"He made a huge, serious, risky decision in order to leave a life he didn't need to leave," said Harris.

As part of the reconciliation process, Bridgeforth has expressed the desire to meet and talk with the police officer he shot at long ago, said Harris.

Harris entered a request with the court Tuesday to set up a conference between the two men.

Chief Criminal Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti, who is prosecuting Bridgeforth, has said his victims believe justice in the shooting case is due to be served.

"They think it's about time that he got caught," Guidotti said.

Ultimately, Harris said Bridgeforth is prepared for any punishment that will be dealt by the court.

"He is willing to accept the consequences," said Harris.