Inquest split over fatal shooting of Native man by a police officer
Friday, January 21, 2011
Filed Under:
First Nations
|
Law
An inquest into the shooting of John T. Williams by a Seattle, Washington, police officer returned a mixed verdict on Thursday.
Four out of eight jurors found that Williams, who was a member of the
Dididaht First Nation of British Columbia, was not a threat to officer Ian Birk. Four jurors also said Williams wasn't given sufficient time to put down a wood carving knife he was carrying -- Birk waited just four seconds to open fire on August 30, 2010.
Although the verdict was not unanimous, an attorney for the Williams family reacted favorably. Most inquests uphold the actions of law enforcement.
"I don't think there has ever been a verdict like this in a King County or Seattle inquest,"
Tim Ford said in response, The Seattle Times reported.
"I think this is as strong a statement as you could expect. I think they've spoken really clearly."
The verdict does not carry legal force but the results could be taken into account if the county prosecutor decides to press charges against Birk.
Get the Story:
Inquest jurors split over Seattle police shooting (The Seattle Times 1/21)
Four of eight jurors: Williams posed no threat
(The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 1/20)
Jurors to resume deliberations Thursday in officer's fatal shooting of carver (The Seattle Times 1/20)
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