Second mistrial in case of Detroit cop who accidentally killed child
For the second time in 18 months, a Michigan jury failed to reach a verdict in the case of a Detroit police officer who accidentally shot and killed a 7-year-old girl during a 2010 raid.
Officer Joseph Weekley will return to court Nov. 21, and Wayne County prosecutors now have six weeks to see whether they will seek to have Weekley tried for a third time.
Wayne County Circuit Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway declared the mistrial Friday afternoon after seven of the 12 jurors voted to acquit Weekley of recklessly discharging a firearm, according to the Associated Press.
Hathaway had dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Weekley this week, and a jury also failed to reach a verdict in his case in June of 2013.
Weekley is accused of negligent use of his weapon during a 2010 raid that left Aiyana Stanley-Jones dead. Neighbors have testified that the officers on scene knew there were children in the home, and Weekley previously said his gun went off when the victim’s grandmother reached for it.
The Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office declined a request for additional comment on the case.
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