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The jury’s verdict got here in late Thursday afternoon after simply hours of deliberations.
HUNT COUNTY, Texas — A former North Texas police officer has been found not guilty of murder within the capturing demise of a person in October 2020 after simply hours of deliberations.
Attorneys completed up closing arguments simply earlier than 11 a.m. on Thursday within the trial of a former Wolfe City police officer Shaun Lucas. He was arrested and charged after he shot and killed Jonathan Price.
This trial had gone on for seven days.
In this trial, the jury heard from over 20 witnesses and likewise detectives. The former Wolfe City officer was represented by attorneys Robert Rogers and Toby Shook, the identical attorneys who represented former Dallas officer Amber Guyger.
Families of Lucas and Price have been in court docket for the reason that starting of the trial. They have seen the physique digicam video of the transient interplay between them. All instructed there was a few 60-second interplay between them that night time in October.
On that Oct. 3, 2020, night time, Lucas responded to an argument that broke out between a pair inside a comfort retailer. Witnesses say Price tried to interrupt up the disagreement inside the shop, but it surely spilled outdoors.
Friends and household mentioned the argument was settled earlier than officers even arrived.
At the time, attorneys for Lucas mentioned Price approached the officer and later refused repeated directions. Price had bodily resisted, forcing the officer to deploy his taser.
“The mountain of evidence did show that he was reasonable,” mentioned protection legal professional Rogers.
What was anticipated to be the tipping level of this trial was whether or not Lucas was actually in concern of his life and whether or not the use of lethal drive was justified.
Attorneys launched the physique cam footage and parceled by way of the video body by body. The state argued Price was not aggressive and was not a menace.
The protection had been constructing the argument that Price was reaching for Lucas’ taser on the time of a wrestle. Rogers mentioned in the course of the trial that Price had not complied with over twenty instructions by the officer over a brief interval earlier than being shot.
“It doesn’t take back the fact that is a tragedy for all sides, for everybody involved. But, we are relieved that the system worked and we are relieved for Shaun that he can be a free man,” mentioned Rogers
“The verdict today makes every Black citizen in Hunt County less safe. And it was delivered by a jury that didn’t have a single Black person on it,” mentioned Lee Merritt, legal professional for the Price household.
Merritt and the Price household felt their was overwhelming proof Lucas shot an unarmed and innocent man.
Price’s sister is overcome. “I’m feeling disappointed. I’m feeling let down. I’m feeling that my dad didn’t get the justice he should have gotten for his son,” mentioned Sabrina Price.
Merritt mentioned they’re interesting to the federal courts, to the Department of Justice for constitutional rights violations. A civil case naming Lucas and Wolfe City has already been set in movement.
“We’re Price strong baby. All day. We can’t be broken and this ain’t it. This ain’t it,” mentioned Sabrina Price.
The trial was held within the 354th Judicial District Court presided by Honorable Judge Keli Aiken of Hunt County. There had been 12 jurors and three alternates seated for this trial.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link
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