Top charge dismissed for cop who killed girl, 7, in raid

[Jazzy]

A judge on Friday dismissed the most serious charge against a Detroit police officer who fatally shot a 7-year-old girl during a raid, but the trial also was halted to give prosecutors an opportunity to immediately appeal.

The surprising development came after prosecutors finished presenting their case against Joseph Weekley, who mistakenly pulled the trigger and killed Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a chaotic search for a murder suspect in 2010.

Defense attorney Steve Fishman said an involuntary manslaughter charge should be dismissed because prosecutors had failed to show that Weekley intentionally created a danger that caused Aiyana's death.

"There is absolutely no evidence, none, that's in the least bit credible," Fishman argued.
Wayne County Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway agreed.

"If I'm going to err, I'm going to err on the side of the defense," she said in dismissing the manslaughter charge, a felony.

Weekley still is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, a misdemeanor. It's his second trial after a jury last year couldn't reach a verdict.

Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, insists he accidentally pulled the trigger when Aiyana's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, grabbed his gun as officers burst through the door of her home. Jones denied any interference.

Source

Your thoughts on the decision?

 

[DrLeftover]

I wasn't there. So I'm not going to say one way or the other.

But of course, those who hate the police, will have other ideas, as they Were in the room and saw exactly what happened. Right?

 

[Dee]

Like Dr said, I wasn't there, I didn't see what happened and I can't see the evidence as I'm not in court, but it seems logical that the judge would decide he acted recklessly. If they cannot pin this on him without a reasonable doubt, then someone better come up with hard evidence that shows he's culpable of murder.

 

[+paradox]

I wasn't there. So I'm not going to say one way or the other.

But of course, those who hate the police, will have other ideas, as they Were in the room and saw exactly what happened. Right?

why does it have to be "but of course, those who hate the police, will have other ideas"?

you say it like that as if someone does disagree with the judge's ruling that their a bunch of police hating fools or something... which is pretty pathetic there doc... this cop killed a little child, it wouldn't matter if it's a cop, a fire fighter, a postal service person, a teacher or the president... that person pulled the trigger and that person killed the little girl... you can't go around killing the innocent with out being punished for your misconduct and/or your failure/bad performance... and that goes for everyone, no matter what your job is...

but yeah, i'm a cop hater because i have other ideas...