Kerrick Trial: Opening Statements Set For Monday

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CHARLOTTE, NC — Opening statements should start Monday in the criminal trial for CMPD Officer Wes Kerrick.  He’s charged with voluntary manslaughter in the 2013 shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell.

The final alternate jurors were seated Wednesday.  WCCB Charlotte’s Amy Cowman has the latest.

It was a slow, meticulous process with lots of questions and dozens of juror candidates that has now has resulted in a complete jury who will decide the fate of Officer Wes Kerrick.

On the original panel of 12: four white women, two African-American women, two Hispanic women, three white men and one African American man.  The four alternates: three white women and one white man.

Each day, several members of the Ferrell family sit together in support, as well as members of Officer Kerrick’s family.  Wednesday afternoon, a large group from the Southeast Asian coalition and a group of college students called Dream Riders sat behind the Ferrell family in support of Jonathan.  They say they are touring the country to promote equal rights and bring attention to racial profiling.

“We came here to support the family and bring out the message that this is something we need to be talking about this is something we need to be fighting for,” said Ixchel Hernandez of Dream Riders.

The Fraternal Order of Police is asking local law enforcement to come out and support Officer Kerrick during the trial.

The judge said he will take up any evidence or legal motions needed before the weekend and has set Monday at 9:30am as the start time for opening statements.