Attorney General: Civil Settlement Won’t Affect Kerrick Criminal Case
[gtxvideo vid=”hobPfemA” playlist=”” pid=”Bbt3TRDe” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/hobPfemA.jpg” vtitle=”cooper on kerrickβ]
Β CHARLOTTE, NC — North Carolina’s Attorney General says he does not believe a civil settlement will affect the criminal case against Officer Wes Kerrick.
Kerrick is charged with voluntary manslaughter for shooting and killing Jonathan Ferrell in 2013. Β The city chose to settle a civil claim with Ferrell’s family last month for $2.25 million. Β The state, and Kerrick’s defense team have filed a joint motion to stop the release of depositions taken in that civil case.
“Clearly they’re a public record,” said Attorney General Roy Cooper. Β “However, both the prosecutors and defense attorneys believe that release before the trial would prejudice the trial, and the court will be making decisions on that soon.”
Cooper’s office is prosecuting the case because the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office has a conflict of interest. Β D.A. Andrew Murray used to be a partner in the law firm representing Kerrick.
