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US officer Randall Kerrick 'justified' in shooting Jonathan Ferrell US officer Randall Kerrick 'justified' in shooting Jonathan Ferrell
(34 minutes later)
The defence lawyer for a North Carolina police officer charged in the shooting death of an unarmed car accident victim has said his actions were justified.The defence lawyer for a North Carolina police officer charged in the shooting death of an unarmed car accident victim has said his actions were justified.
Officer Randall Kerrick, 27, reportedly shot Jonathan Ferrell 10 times after responding to a report of a break-in early on Saturday morning. Officer Randall Kerrick, 27, shot Jonathan Ferrell 10 times after responding to a report of a break-in early on Saturday morning.
Mr Ferrell, 24, had crashed his car and sought help at a nearby house. Ferrell, 24, had crashed his car and sought help at a nearby house.
His family suggested his race - he was black - contributed to the white officer's response.His family suggested his race - he was black - contributed to the white officer's response.
Mr Kerrick, 27, did not appear in court on Tuesday for the first hearing on a charge of voluntary manslaughter.Mr Kerrick, 27, did not appear in court on Tuesday for the first hearing on a charge of voluntary manslaughter.
After the hearing, defence attorney Michael Greene the officer's actions "were justified on the night in question", but declined to take questions. After Tuesday's hearing, defence attorney Michael Greene said the officer's actions "were justified on the night in question", but declined to take questions.
'Inappropriate' action'Inappropriate' action
Mr Ferrell's car went off the road in a suburban neighbourhood about 15 miles (24km) from downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, at around 2:30 local time (6:30 GMT) on 14 September. Ferrell's car went off the road in a suburban neighbourhood about 15 miles (24km) from downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, at around 02:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on 14 September.
The former Florida A&M University football player walked to the closest house he could see and started "banging on the door viciously", police Chief Rodney Monroe said, according to the Associated Press.The former Florida A&M University football player walked to the closest house he could see and started "banging on the door viciously", police Chief Rodney Monroe said, according to the Associated Press.
Police released what they said was a recording of the householder's emergency call in which she pleads for officers to hurry because she believes someone is breaking in. The female occupant of the home answered the door, believing it to be her husband. When she saw Ferrell, she called the police.
During the call, the unidentified woman repeats: "Oh, my god! Oh, my god!" She says the man has knocked on her door and is "in my front yard yelling". On Tuesday, police released what they said was a recording of the householder's emergency call in which she pleads for officers to hurry because she believes someone is breaking in.
The female occupant of the home answered the door, believing it to be her husband. When she saw Mr Ferrell, she called the police. During the call, the unidentified woman repeats: "Oh, my god! Oh, my god!" She says a man has knocked on her door and is "in my front yard yelling".
The officers found Mr Ferrell on a dead-end road. He reportedly ran at them, and they attempted to stop him with a stun gun, police said. The officers found Ferrell on a dead-end road. He reportedly ran at them, and they attempted to stop him with a stun gun, police said.
Mr Ferrell is said to have continued running at Mr Kerrick, who then shot at him 12 times, striking him 10 times, police said, according to the Charlotte Observer. Ferrell is said to have continued running at Mr Kerrick, who then shot at him 12 times, striking him 10 times, police said.
He died at the scene.He died at the scene.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organisation, and the Ferrell family's lawyer, Chris Chestnut, have questioned the role race played in the shooting.The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organisation, and the Ferrell family's lawyer, Chris Chestnut, have questioned the role race played in the shooting.
"The officer is white, Mr Ferrell is black... To shoot first and ask questions later is not an appropriate action for a police officer," Mr Chestnut said on Monday."The officer is white, Mr Ferrell is black... To shoot first and ask questions later is not an appropriate action for a police officer," Mr Chestnut said on Monday.