The prosecution case has been made and the policeman has been duly convicted. If the facts presented so far are the whole story, I would say the conviction is probably correct. At some point, however, the defense case must be presented and that could alter the verdict. I don’t have any first hand information but am curious if anyone would change their guilty verdict if the following situation was proven at trial:
A two person team consisting of a very senior officer accompanied by a junior officer was dispatched for a welfare call. The junior officer remained near the patrol vehicle while the senior officer approached the front door, knocked and identified himself. Receiving no response, he instructed the junior officer to investigate the rear entrance while he remained at the front. It being dark in the back yard, the junior officer, using his flashlight, carefully made his way toward the back door, being alert for anything moving in the yard. Before arriving at the back door where he intended to knock and identify himself, he observed sudden movement at the window and a pistol being pointed at him. Following his instinct and self preservation training, he immediately fired at what he considered a deadly threat.
The above is only speculation. It is certainly possible, but quite unlikely, that the officer just wanted to kill someone and took advantage of this situation to satisfy his blood lust. We will not know until all evidence is presented. In the meantime, the police chief and city officials have a motivation to keep the city from being burned down and those who harbor hostility and suspicion of police will use the incident to reinforce those feelings. At this point, the officer is on his own and had better get a good lawyer and hope for a fair jury.
Your speculation is disproven by the officers’ released body camera video. Your scenario did NOT happen.
excellent story. Should be made into a movie. unfortunately it does not mesh with the know or stated facts in this case.
But it is a nice story. Should have included a meth lab in there somewhere.