KMOV.com) – Jason Stockley has been found not guilty of first-degree murder.
Stockley, a former St. Louis Police Officer, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Anthony Smith, who was shot and killed following a police chase in 2011.
News 4 has just obtained the court document. More information about the decision will be posted here shortly.
Raw video: Surveillance, dash cam video of Stockley shooting investigation
During the trial, which began with opening statements on August 1, the prosecution argued that Stockley intended to kill, fired a “kill shot” and planted a gun following the fatal shooting. An FBI expert testified that one shot was fired at Smith from less than six inches away. Some of the questioning focused on a portion of cell phone video where Stockley was seen taking off his gloves. Police officers who testified during the trial said they wouldn’t take off gloves if they were about to handle evidence.
The dash camera video starts at a local fast food place. Stockley is seen with his personal AK-47, which is against department policy to have. He’s also seen taking shots at Smith’s car with his duty weapon.
The dash camera also shows Stockley rifling through a bag in the back of the police car, but his body blocks what he retrieves. The defense argued he was going to retrieve a medical pad in order the render aid. An officer during the trial stated that no one attempted to render aid to Smith at the scene.
The defense argued that Smith created the violent encounter and fled from Stockley and his partner. They also claimed a gun was not planted and that Stockley acted in self-defense and reasonably.
Stockley took the stand in his own defense during the trial. When he took the stand, he stated he was carrying his personal AK-47 because he valued his life and other people’s lives over the department policy that states personal weapons cannot be carried.
The trial concluded with closing statements on August 9, with the judge stating it would be days or weeks before a verdict was reached.
The highly anticipated verdict caused for preparations to be made outside of the courthouse. Barricades were seen outside of the Carnahan Courthouse earlier in the month after activists warned of mass disruptionif no conviction was given.
On September 5, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewsonreleased a video in which she said the community was ‘on edge’ ahead of the verdict. She also said she is aware there is a lot of anxiety and worry in the community but that people should not let that determine how they treat one another.
“Ask ourselves how we might feel if it were our son, daughter, mother, father, or friend at the center of this legal decision. Ask ourselves if we can turn this anxiety and distrust into something constructive,” the mayor said.
A day before the verdict was released, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens took steps to place the Missouri National Guard on standby. St. Louis City and County police also said they were beginning 12-hour shifts Friday morning.
Stockley was the first on-duty officer to be charged in a shooting case since 2000. He previously waived his right to a jury trial.