Case against former Tucson officer remanded to grand jury

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Former Tucson Police Officer Ryan Remington, indicted on a manslaughter charge in the shooting of a shoplifting suspect, will have his case heard again by a grand jury.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Danelle Liwski granted a defense request Friday to remand the case to a grand jury.

She agreed with Remington's attorney that state prosecutors presented misleading statements to an initial panel but did not do so intentionally.

The prosecution, on Friday, presented a full and factual picture to the grand jury.

Tuscon PD then fired Remington in early January as they determined he used excessive force.

Remington was off duty and working security at a Walmart store when he approached Richard Lee Richards.

Earlier, an employee had accused Richards of shoplifting.

Authorities said Richards, riding in a mobility scooter, pulled a knife on a worker as he left.

Remington allegedly ordered Richards to drop the knife and not to enter another store.

Richards ignored the officer before Remington shot him multiple times, and he fell out of his scooter, authorities have said.

Remington, who pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, will appear in court again in January.