In the early hours of September 14, 2013, an unarmed Black man named Jonathan Ferrell was shot ten times and killed by a Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer. Ferrell was seeking assistance after being involved in a single-car accident. Background here and here.
Jonathan Ferrell's autopsy was released yesterday. It finds that there were no illegal drugs in his system, and his blood alcohol content (BAC) was within legal limits.
Chris Chestnut, who is representing the Ferrell family, told the Associated Press
"This confirms everything we've been saying since the day that Jonathan was killed: That this was an All-American guy who gave a friend a ride home and was just trying to get home himself when he had a car accident. And when he was runs to the officer for help, the officer shoots him 10 times," Chestnut told The Associated Press.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/...
CMPD officer Randall Kerrick is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the case.
Ferrell's autopsy, also released Friday, showed he had been shot 10 times. The official cause of death: Multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Kerrick fired 12 shots, police have said.
Police Chief Rodney Monroe has said that while Ferrell did advance on Kerrick, the shooting was excessive. Monroe said the department's investigation showed the officer didn't have a lawful right to discharge his weapon. Kerrick's attorneys said the shooting was justified because Ferrell didn't obey verbal commands to stop.
On Thursday, Oct. 31,
a judge blocked release of the dash cam video considered a key piece of evidence in the case. In light of that setback, this is a much-needed positive turn for the prosecution.
I have the deepest respect for the Ferrell family and their bold, relentless pursuit of justice in this senseless tragedy.
7:42 EST: Edited for clarity. BAC = Blood Alcohol Content