Kerrick Trial: Jurors Head into Day Two of Deliberations
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CHARLOTTE, NC — For the first time in decades, a jury is deliberating whether a CMPD officer is guilty of voluntary manslaughter for shooting an unarmed man while on the job.
Jurors listened to hours of closing arguments before deliberating Tuesday.
Defense attorney George Laughrun echoed reasonable doubt.
“Poor judgment, bad judgment, good judgment does not equal beyond reasonable doubt,” Laughrun told jurors.
Prosecutors repeated their theme of excessive force.
“Shooting Jonathan ten times was excessive,” said Teresa Postell.
Both weighing on jurors minds as they head into day two of deliberations Wednesday.
The jury came back quickly with a question for the judge. They asked Judge Robert Ervin to repeat the three elements that the state must prove to get a voluntary manslaughter conviction.
The judge explained to convict Officer Kerrick, jurors must decide the officer killed Ferrell by an unlawful, intentional act, that act caused his death and if he was defending himself or others, it was with excessive force.
WCCB Charlotte Legal Contributor James Ferguson says jurors are likely sorting out what facts they know.
“What we know is that the officer shot his gun 12 times, Ferrell was unarmed and it was dark at night,” said Ferguson. “In this case, it’s going to boil down to: what interpretation do you give to these facts.”
Ferguson says it will also come down to whether it was reasonable for Officer Kerrick to believe Ferrell was a threat.
Legal Contributor John Snyder expects jurors will need some time after 11 days of testimony.
“This jury wants to make sure they make the best decision possible,” said Snyder. “And in the end, no one can question them for making a snap decision.”
Watch in HD on YouTube (https://youtu.be/vGvZh8O0Dws)
