The guy told the officer, "I've got a lawful concealed carry permit."
When he reached for the glove compartment to get the permit, the policeman shot him.
With his girlfriend and kid IN THE CAR.
The policeman was charged with murder 1 and walked.
In Minnesota, for the current case, Murder 3 does not require intent, but "Depraved Indifference".
Keeping your knee on the neck of a handcuffed unconscious guy, on video, and in front of witnesses, and not checking for a pulse, and not performing CPR, for two minutes, after one of the other policemen holding the guy down tells you he doesn't have a pulse, seems to qualify.
Wouldn't you agree?
I think Zimmerman acted in self defence and should have been acquitted. But if I recall there it was 2nd degree murder or nothing, no lower charges available to the jury.
Premeditiation here? Murder 3 seems like a layup. I don't think he has an obligation to provide medical assistance, but, and these are if's for now, another LEO told him he had no pulse, and a bystander told him something similar. And he was motionless for minutes after being combative. And for propriety I'll simply say he discharged fluid, if the LEO contends, we haven't heard from him, he had no idea the victim was in distress, I think he's lying. So maybe I could be convinced. I say maybe largely because I wonder if the prosecutor has knowledge dictating a lesser charge. Not a lawyer, but I believe in most states depraved indifference will support murder 2, which in my unprofessional opinion is probably the better charge.
Should have added imo a plea deal would be the best disposition, but politically it’s impossible, particularly when the starting point is the lower charge, manslaughter.