Officer acquitted in death of suspect

13 On Your Side wants to know your thoughts:

It’s the case where court documents read more like a crime drama rather than a murder trial. For those following the case, the evidence looks pretty cut and dry. But, not for Curcuit Court Judge Tim Wilson who has acquitted Officer Jason Stockley. Stockley’s defense opted for a bench trial which meant the case wouldn’t be heard by a jury of his peers and instead the judge would make the final decision.

Stockley was on trial in connection to the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith who was killed after a high speed pursuit in December of 2011. Smith a suspected drug dealer led police on a car chase that ended when officers crashed into Smith’s car disabling it. Officer Stockley could be seen in the video heading towards the driver side of Smith’s car and firing.

Stockley reported that he felt his life and the lives of his fellow officers were in jeopardy and had to act. According to the officers Smith had a gun; a gun was found on scene, but was never captured by any of the dash cams rolling on the scene. The weapon was tested and the only DNA found on it belonged to Officer Stockley. According to the judge the gun had to be Smith’s saying “it wouldn’t be unusual for Smith to have a gun, writing, “Finally, the Court observes, based on its nearly thirty years on the bench, that an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly.”

Another key piece of evidence was audio captured in the police cruiser where Officer Stockley told his partner that he planned on killing the driver; Judge Wilson commented that this was nothing more than cop talk. In the end Judge Wilson said that prosecutors did not prove to him beyond a shadow of a doubt that Officer Stockley meant to kill Smith.

13 On Your Side wants to know your thoughts:

What are your thoughts regarding Officer Jason Stockley’s acquittal?