Kerrick Trial: Opening Statements Paint Two Pictures Of Jonathan Ferrell

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CHARLOTTE, NC — The state and defense gave the first details of how they will present their case during opening statements of the trial of CMPD Officer Wes Kerrick Monday.  Kerrick is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the 2013 shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell.

The defense told the jury a never-before heard account of Ferrell’s DNA on Officer Kerrick’s gun.  WCCB Charlotte’s Amy CCowman continues our trial team coverage.

The state wasted no time describing Jonathan Ferrell as a victim of a car crash, just looking for help at a home in east Charlotte when police shot and killed him.

“Jonathan never made any verbal threats to any of the officers, he never tried to fight, kick, bite, scratch any of the officers.  He never brandished a weapon at any of the officers,” said prosecutor Adren Harris.

Harris then described in detail the 12 shots Officer Kerrick fired at an unarmed Jonathan Ferrell.

“The defendant fires two more into Jonathan as Jonathan is crawling clinging to life,” said Harris.

Once the state painted the picture of Jonathan Ferrell as a victim in this tragic shooting, the defense painted quite a different picture of him as not the victim, but the aggressor.  The defense says instead of asking for help, Jonathan got mean.

“What did Sara McCartney hear?  Turn off your alarm, turn it off, over and over and over again,” said defense attorney Michael Greene.

The defense argued Officer Kerrick tried to warn Ferrell when he was charging towards police.

“‘Get on the ground, get on the ground, get on the ground,’ you’ll hear on dash cam video,” said Greene.

And they say there’s evidence Ferrell was a threat to Kerrick.

“Jonathan Ferrell’s DNA is on officer Kerrick’s gun, on the slide, and on the trigger,” said Greene.