A St. Louis judge on Friday found former police officer Jason Stockley not guilty of first-degree murder in the 2011 shooting death of black motorist Anthony Lamar Smith.
"This Court, in conscience, cannot say that the State has proven every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt, or that the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense," St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson wrote in his ruling.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner said she was "disappointed" with the judge's decision.
Stockley, then a St. Louis officer, shot dead Anthony Lamar Smith, 24, after a police chase in December 2011.
Stockley pleaded not guilty, saying he acted in self-defense and believed Smith was reaching for a gun in his car. Prosecutors accused the officer of planting a silver revolver to justify the shooting.
The defendant waived his right to a jury trial, meaning the ruling was left to Wilson.
Anticipation of the verdict has had St. Louis on edge and preparing for possible unrest in case Stockley was acquitted.
"What the country needs to know is, every single person in our country, we have a right to be mad," said Al Watkins, an attorney for Smith's fiancée, Christina Wilson, after the verdict. "We have a right to disagree. We have a right to express our opinion. We have a right to protest."
"Exploit that right, don't compromise it," he said. "Stay peaceful."
Source : CNN
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon