Maryland police officer charged with murder in killing of handcuffed man

Image copyright Prince George’s County Police Division

A police officer within the US relate of Maryland has been charged with kill within the fatal taking pictures of a one who had been handcuffed inner a patrol automotive.

Corporal Michael Owen Jr, a 10-365 days police force outmoded, shot William Inexperienced, 43, seven instances on Monday night in Temple Hills, police train.

Police had been responding to calls that a driver had struck a pair of vehicles and was suspected of being intoxicated.

The taking pictures of Inexperienced, a father of two, was condemned by rights campaigners.

Inexperienced’s family maintain vowed to fight for justice.

In accordance with the Prince George’s County Police Division,Cpl Owen and every other officer had been sent to the dwelling– a suburb of Washington DC – at about 19: 20 native time on Monday (00: 20 GMT Tuesday).

After being urged by witnesses, they approached Inexperienced who was in a automotive nearby. Inexperienced was eliminated from his automotive, handcuffed and positioned within the front seat of the patrol automotive as the officers waited for a drug recognition knowledgeable.

Cpl Owen then entered the patrol automotive and sat next to Inexperienced. A couple of minutes later, Inexperienced, who had his hands late his back, was shot seven instances for reasons that had been gentle being investigated, in maintaining with police. The officers equipped scientific assist to Inexperienced, who was taken to a scientific institution where he later died.

“I maintain concluded that what came about last night is a criminal offense,” police chief Hank Stawinski told journalists lower than 24 hours after the taking pictures came about. “There are no circumstances below which this slay consequence is suitable.”

Cpl Owen did now not maintain a physique camera, and the police force mentioned they had been within the midst of of equipping all officers with it. He was charged with 2nd-level kill, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, first-level assault and use of a firearm to commit a violent crime.

Cpl Owen was focused on every other taking pictures in 2011, Mr Stawinski mentioned. He was taken into custody and it was now not straight sure if he had a attorney.

In a press open, Deborah Jeon, correct director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, mentioned: “There would possibly be now not any reason a handcuffed person must ever be shot a pair of instances by a police officer, now not to mention shot a pair of instances inner a patrol automotive.”

She added it was “entirely unacceptable” that the county’s law enforcement officials gentle did now not maintain physique cameras and that the police department was below investigation by the Division of Justice after accusations from its like law enforcement officials of “fostering a tradition of racism”.

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