Kerrick Family Speaks Out Ahead Of Manslaughter Trial

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CHARLOTTE, NC — For the first time, the family of the CMPD officer charged with voluntary manslaughter is speaking out.  Wes Kerrick goes on trial Monday for shooting Jonathan Ferrell, was unarmed.

WCCB Charlotte anchor Morgan Fogarty spoke exclusively to Kerrick’s brother-in-law.  Brian Helms says he wants people to know who Wes Kerrick really is, the type of police officer he is, and how what happened nearly two years ago has changed his life.

“He is not the person that’s being portrayed by some media and some others,” said Helms.

Brian Helms is a lieutenant with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.  His brother-in-law is CMPD Officer Wes Kerrick.  Kerrick, a white man, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell, a black man.  Some have accused Kerrick of racism.  Fogarty asked Helms if Kerrick is racist.

“We’ve heard him called a lot of different things, including being a racist.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Anybody that would say that about him doesn’t know him, and if they got to know him, they would take it back because that’s not him. He’s just a good guy,” said Helms.

Kerrick shot Ferrell 10 times in east Charlotte in 2013.  Kerrick was responding to what he thought was a home break-in in progress.

The Ferrell family attorneys have called the shooting unjustified and excessive.

Fogarty asked Helms, “Has Wes ever abused his power?”

“Not that I know of,” replied Helms.  “You bring that up, and talking to Wes, he doesn’t know of one citizen complaint he’s ever received.”

Kerrick has been on unpaid suspension from the department since the shooting.  He picks up work as a brick mason and landscaper to support his family and his disabled father.  Helms says the 29-year-old, who likes to fish and mountain bike, has become very reclusive.

“What do you think is going through Wes’ mind as we approach Monday?” asked Fogarty.

“The fear of the unknown,” said Helms.  “I mean, he fears he’s going to prison. I feel for him. I feel for his sister, I feel for his wife. I feel for his son, for fear of the unknown.”  Helms went on to say, “Wesley actually found out he was going to be a father just a few days after the shooting. Like, three days later he found out his wife was pregnant, and I think that keeps some of his focus.”

Helms says his family is anxious for the trial to start.

“My wife, his sister, still works for CMPD,” he said.  “She has for 17 years. So I see daily how it impacts her. She has to walk a delicate balance between her love for her brother and the agency she loves.”

Helms says Kerrick became an officer because he likes to help people, and that he loved his job.

“I want to be perfectly clear: we support him and continue to support him. He’s got a lot of support,” said Helms.

Kerrick’s attorneys have argued twice that the trial should be moved out of Mecklenburg County because it will be nearly impossible to seat an unbiased jury.  The judge denied those requests.

The trial starts Monday, with jury selection.