Court St. Louis, Missouri, acquitted former police officer Jason Stockley, who in 2011 shot and killed a black suspect Anthony Smith during the chase.
The verdict
The judge of the St. Louis Timothy Wilson argued the verdict that the prosecution had not provided enough evidence for the recognition Stockley guilty. In his decision, he stressed that the police acted in self-defence. As it became known, the prosecution also tried to prove that the former guardian of order threw the gun to the Smith machine after the murder.
«Taking someone’s life is the worst thing you can do, and it’s not easy… My main concern now about the first responders, the people who are just trying to work, and protesters. I don’t want anyone hurt because of this,» commented the court’s decision Stockley.
The reaction of the public
After the verdict, activists gathered near the court building and walked several hours through the city centre in protest against the verdict. During the March the crowd chanted: «No justice, no peace!»
Protesters break window at what they think is #stl Mayor Lyda Krewson»s house pic.twitter.com/uW0JmwQ70l
— St. Louis Magazine (@stlmag) September 16, 2017
Approaching the house measure St. Louis leads Crewson, the demonstrators began to throw stones at Windows and smashed the windshield of a police car. It is known that four police officers were attacked by protesters.
Earlier Hundreds of protesters stage a sit-down in Maryland Plaza in St. Louis’ Central West End following #jasonstockley not-guilty verdict pic.twitter.com/LuSMzSDq3B
— Christian Gooden (@pd_shutterspeed) September 16, 2017
Police were ordered to disperse the crowd because the demonstration is considered illegal Assembly. After the officers began to bring order in life, in social networks began to appear videos, which you can see that officers are using tear gas against protesters. It became known that at least 23 people were arrested.
Police make their first few arrests because folks were blocking a bus that contained other officers. #JasonStockley pic.twitter.com/Iq8U4PUYJC
— Christian P. Bryant (@BryantCP) September 15, 2017
The story of officer Jason Stockley
In December 2011, police officer Jason Stockley companion and I decided to detain him for suspicion of drug trafficking. During an attempt to detain the alleged offender began to run away from the guards, then later began pursuit. A police SUV crashed into the car of a black man. After that, Stockley approached the car probable drug dealer and shot Smith five times. The man died before the ambulance arrived. Stockley was accused that he started shooting, although he did not have sufficient grounds. The court published the audio recording where it was heard that a police officer threatened to kill the suspect.
