CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A statement from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office says they do not plan to retry Officer Randall ‘Wes’ Kerrick.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM NC ATTORNEY GENERAL HERE.
Now, the Attorney General’s Office will submit a dismissal of the charge which will complete disposition of the case. The AG’s Office made an announcement about their decision, stating that prosecutors determined that a retried case would lead to the same outcome. NC Attorney General Roy Cooper also stated that lethal force should be the last option for an officer, and that North Carolina should go on to improve law enforcement and law enforcement training.
NC Attorney General Roy Cooper discusses the decision to dismiss the charges
CMPD also released a statement following Cooper’s decision. READ CMPD’S STATEMENT HERE.
Kerrick is a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who shot and killed Jonathan Ferrell in 2013. Ferrell, 24, wrecked his car in east Charlotte and after wrecking, Ferrell went to a nearby home. The woman inside called 911, saying Ferrell was trying to force his way into her home.
VIDEO: JONATHAN FERRELL’S FAMILY SPEAKS FOLLOWING DISMISSAL OF CHARGES.
SEE EVIDENCE PHOTOS FROM THE TRIAL HERE.
Investigators say Kerrick was one of three police officers who responded. Officers say once on scene, Ferrell charged at them and refused to listen to their orders to stop.
One officer fired a TASER at Ferrell, but according to the defense, the TASER had no effect on Ferrell. The defense says Ferrell continued to advance on Kerrick.
Kerrick shot Ferrell when he allegedly saw Ferrell reach for his waistband. The two then allegedly fell to the ground and began fighting. The defense says Ferrell hit Kerrick in the face and grabbed Kerrick’s gun.
Investigators say Kerrick fired a total of 12 shots, 10 of which hit Ferrell. Ferrell was not armed. Kerrick is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting. His trial ended in a mistrial last week.
Dozens of protesters hit the streets of Charlotte after a mistrial was declared.
SEE VIDEO FROM THE PROTESTS HERE.
In a letter to District Attorney Andrew Murray, Senior Deputy Attorney General Robert Montgomery states they do not believe a retrial will yield a different result.
SEE PHOTOS FROM THE PROTESTS HERE.
