Enter round No. for He said he unintentionally pulled the trigger when the victim's grandmother knocked his submachine gun. The estate's counsel denied this altercation took place. The criminal case against Joseph Weekley in the death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones appears over, a civil case is just getting started. But on cross-examination, he conceded: "If I fail to do ordinary care, that would be my fault.". He was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter and careless discharge of a firearm causing death, a misdemeanor, after Aiyana Stanley-Jones was killed in 2010 during a botched police raid at her home. And we are confident in the judicial system and that officer Weekly will be exonerated of the remaining charge (careless use of a fire arm) so that we can work as a community to heal and never forget.". | Privacy Policy. Weekley admitted that his gun fired the shot that killed Aiyana, but maintained that the shooting was an accident. Counsel thus maintained there was no reason for Weekley to fire a shot or have his finger on the trigger. "Surely, the death of a baby by a well-trained police force must be deemed unacceptable in a civilized society," Lawrence said in a statement at the time. We dont want to make an arbitrary decision based on current events.. Wayne County Circuit Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway dismissed the charge of careless discharge causing injury or death in court Friday morning, the Detroit Free Press reports. The raid was recorded for a police reality TV show, "The First 48," and some video was used at trial. The surprising development came after prosecutors finished presenting their case against Joseph Weekley, who mistakenly pulled the trigger and killed Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a chaotic search for a murder suspect in 2010. A lawyer for Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley argued that coverage of the fatal shooting of a black man by a white officer in Ferguson, Mo. In a statement later Monday night, the department said the sergeant had been reassigned and placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of that investigation. "But, obviously, this judge was there; this judge saw the testimony of Grandma and simply did not believe her, and the judge cannot let this jury speculate on charges especially charges like manslaughter.". He wrote: Well see how much her life matters soon. Were gathering information to put a package together, Sgt. They are hermits of the negro heart; critics who do not publish. The girl's father, Charles Jones, was convicted of second-degree murder for providing the gun used to kill Blake. (CBS/AP) DETROIT - Joseph Weekley, a Detroit police officer charged in the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones, testified Thursday that he still feels "devastated and depressed". Meanwhile Monday, Oakland County pastors expressed unity with police in a prayer service at Welcome Missionary Baptist Church. Stanley said her message to Weekley would be this: "I'm very hurt and I feel I didn't get justice for the third time," she said. But besides his job he still shot my child.". We believe today's settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana's family and our responsibility for the city's finances. DETROIT The Michigan Supreme Court has cleared the way for a trial or settlement in a lawsuit against a Detroit police officer who accidentally killed a 7-year-old girl during a raid in 2010. so long as the petition does not violate our He said he didn't even feel a recoil in the weapon. No. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. WXYZ 7 Action News is metro Detroit's leading source for breaking news, weat. He died in January 1850, in his hometown, at the age of 84. Geoffrey N. Fieger Daniel Spitz; M.D. Sign Up. UPDATE, Jan. 30: -- The case against Weekley has officially been dismissed. UT called by: They should have it in the next day or so.. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Langton said that the remainingmisdemeanor chargewould not result in jail time if Weekley is convicted. The lawsuit also alleged assault and battery, willful and wanton misconduct, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. This process is automatic. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Detroit police officer who fatally shot a sleeping 7-year-old girl will not be retried, officials said Wednesday. Two. "She hit it in a downward motion," Weekley told the jury. The raid was being filmed for an episode of The First 48, and many believe the excessive tactics used were employed simply to create drama and excitement for the camera. Lawrence T. Garcia Steven Watt; Wayne County Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway agreed to dismiss the felony. When you put on this uniform, you cant make statements that contradict what we stand for as a department.. Defense attorney Steve Fishman said an involuntary manslaughter charge should be dismissed because prosecutors had failed to show that Weekley intentionally created a danger that caused Aiyana's death. SEE ALSO:. 2 where a civil case where the family of Aiyana Jones is suing Weekley and the Detroit Police Department for gross negligence and money. He had been with them at a park when he got a call to report to duty on a spring Saturday, hours before the fatal raid. Officer on trial: Joseph Weekley testifies in his own defense DETROIT The Michigan Supreme Court has cleared the way for a trial or settlement in a lawsuit against a Detroit police officer who accidentally killed a 7-year-old girl during a raid in 2010. "I'll never be the same, no.". We forget that someones son, daughter or grandchild may be among the victims. It's his second trial after a jury last year couldn't reach a verdict. First published on October 3, 2014 / 4:07 PM. ", A spokesman for a group that pressed for charges in Aiyana's death accused the judge of misconduct. Charges have been dismissed Against officer Joseph Weekley in Aiyana Jones case. Officer Joseph Weekley was charged in connection with Jones' killing. It is unacceptable that a sleeping child be murdered in her home while police disregard information that a raid should not take place because children are present. She denied touching his weapon, and at trial the prosecution questioned why Weekley had his finger on the trigger. Check for online issue dates in the link below. "I don't see the evidence that (Weekley) willfully disregarded the results to others," Hathaway said. Jurors were sent home for the day while the prosecutor's office scrambled to file an emergency appeal. Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, insists he accidentally pulled the trigger when Aiyana's grandmother grabbed his gun as officers burst through the door of her home. She was then taken to Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit. Weekley was later charged in criminal court and tried twice in connection with Aiyanas death, but both trials ended with hung juries. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Injury: Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. Michael Woody said it was not yet clear where. Detroit Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones four days before a civil trial was to begin. TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. At the Pontiac church event, Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko said her officers have been receiving countless thank yous since the Dallas shooting. Weekley fired his gun, killing Aiyana, who had been asleep on the couch with her grandmother. Officer negligently shot, killed 7-year-old girl, per lawsuit, head; other-death; other-gunshot wound; other-loss of services; other-loss of consortium; other-conscious pain and suffering, Government Police; Gross Negligence; Intentional Torts Assault, Battery; Wrongful Death Survival Damages; Civil Rights Police as Defendant; Intentional Torts Assault and Battery, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Charles Jones, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Deceased, and Dominika Stanley v. Police Officer John Doe and Police Officer Robert Row, If he encounters someone in a city thats 80 percent black who is questioning why theyre being accosted, who knows what might happen?. During the trial, a judge dismissed a charge of involuntary manslaughter. See Photos. We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure," Garcia said in a statement. Moreover, counsel claimed that Weekley had his finger on the trigger and fired a shot because he was amped up by the presence of the television cameras outside the home. or. Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. The family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, said the settlement should allow the family, the city and Weekley to move on from the tragedy. He said the settlement "won't provide full justice. The trial was supposed to resume Monday with Weekley still facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless discharge of a firearm. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Joseph's . Helpful Smiles Television (HSTV) Seasons Magazine. But legal troubles for Weekley are not over. The case was originally filed before Weekley was identified, so the initial defendants were named as officers John Doe and Robert Row. "You've got multiple officers there," Giroux said. MI called by: You will be redirected once the validation is complete. Counsel additionally argued that Weekley should not have carried his gun and shield at the same time because the shield blocked his view of what was inside the home. "And the judge, too.". The raid was being filmed for an episode of The First 48, and many believe the excessive tactics used were employed simply to create drama and excitement for the camera. Additional information was gleaned from court documents. Weekley's first trial ended in a hung jury and the second, in a mistrial. 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