CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A grand jury has indicted a CMPD officer in the shooting death of an unarmed man.Β The decision comes after a partial grand jury decided not to indict Kerrick last week.Β
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said the decision was not made by a full grand jury so his office resubmitted the request.
Officer Randall “Wes” Kerrick will now go on trial for the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell.
CMPD charged Kerrick with voluntary manslaughter after he shot Ferrell 10 times in east Charlotte.Β Ferrell was involved in a motor vehicle accident shortly before the shooting.
His lawyers say he was attempting to get help when he knocked on a nearby homeowner’s door.Β A woman inside the house called police thinking he was trying to break into the home.
When officers arrived they found Ferrell near the house, but when they approached Ferrell he began to run towards them.Β A CMPD officer tried to use a taser but it was unsuccessful.Β Officer Kerrick then shot 12 rounds, killing Ferrell.
Kerrick is out of jail on $50,000 bond.
