Copyright 2003 by ClickOnDetroit.com. A Detroit police officer accused of manslaughter in the death of a 7-year-old girl will go on trial this week, as national attention remains focused on the militarization of U.S. law enforcement. He has been free on personal bond since his arraignment in 2011. The death of Aiyana, who was black, has since been a rallying point for Detroit activists, who say the girl has not received justice. The Michigan State Police are investigating the shooting. They sent three notes, the last one indicating they still couldn't reach a unanimous verdict on the third day of deliberations, despite encouragement from Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway. The girl's father, Charles Jones, was convicted of second-degree murder for providing the gun used to kill Blake. The hunt for a murder suspect was being recorded by a crew from 'The First 48,' a police show on A&E Networks. Find the perfect carolina edgecombe stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. DETROIT, MI -- It's been five years since Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley led a SWAT team in search of a murder suspect and fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones. He said the settlement "won't provide full justice. Officer Joseph Weekley, a member of the Detroit Police Special Response Team, was indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge after a nearly yearlong Michigan State Police investigation into . The story of Aiyana Stanley-Jones' death really starts with Je'Rean Blake, a 17-year-old who was killed less than two days earlier. The girl was shot in the head while she slept on a couch. Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. Case in point: Officer Joseph Weekley. Before Weekley's trial, potential jurors were asked questions related to the Ferguson shooting and if they had seen reports that might influence their decision in the case. A member of an elite Detroit police unit is set to stand trial again for killing a seven-year-old girl during a 2010 raid on her house that was captured on video by a reality TV crew. Joseph / ( dzf) / noun Old Testament the eleventh son of Jacob and one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel (Genesis 30:2-24) either or both of two tribes descended from his sons Ephraim and Manasseh Saint Joseph New Testament the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:16-25). 'There has not been one single day that has gone by since that day where I have not thought about the loss of Aiyana and I will be haunted by this tragedy for the rest of my life.'. If convicted, Weekley could face up to 15 years behind bars. Joseph Weekley testifying at first trial in June, 2013. Jose had just turned in, having worked 12 hours straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded. "There is absolutely no evidence, none, that's in the least bit credible, that Officer Weekley knowingly created a danger or, more importantly, intended to cause injury," Fishman said in court Friday. After Aiyana's death, the mayor banned police from working with reality TV crews. Check out footage (below) of the judge's ruling Friday: CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that attorney Steve Fishman said the defense would need to demonstrate Officer Joseph Weekley acted in a "grossly negligent manner" in the circumstances leading to Stanley-Jones' death. 20:54 GMT 19 Jun 2013. Fishman said that for involuntary manslaughter to be proved, the prosecution would need to demonstrate that his client acted in a "grossly negligent manner" in the circumstances leading to Stanley-Jones' death. Weekley had been facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for the manslaughter charge. Kelley joined the station on February 10, 1986, two months after graduating from the University of Florida. Brown's death, and the extreme tactics of police amid ensuing local protests, have sparked national conversations about police brutality and institutional racism in police forces across the country. All rights reserved (About Us). It said: No matter the outcome of any jury's decision, I have already been devastated and my life has been ruined irreparably by the events that occurred on May 16, 2010. Photo by Paul Warner/Getty Images. During a late night police raid to apprehend a murder suspect, Defendant Officer Joseph Weekley somehow discharged his firearm, fatally wounding seven-year-old Aiyana Jones. The city of Detroit has reached an $8.25 million settlement with the family of Stanley-Jones, who was accidentally killed by Weekley during a 2010 raid. The only thing he saw upon entering the home on Lillibridge in Detroit was a "pile of clothes" on a couch by the entrance and a 19-inch TV flickering in the dark room. # 22-13, Pg. Wake up to the day's most important news. "The police are not just going in looking to hurt people; that's not the case at all. The company's filing status is listed as Suspended - Ftb and its File Number is 2555616. The officers also claimed Few had a weapon, that was also a lie. FILE - In this June 18, 2013 file photo, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley stands in Judge Cynthia Hathaway's courtroom at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice during his criminal trial in the 2010 killing of Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a police raid in Detroit. The other cop who shot and killed Jeremy that night has yet to go to trial. The justice system did not work in this case, he said. College No schools to show High school Went to Eastern Montgomery Photos See all photos Others Named Joseph Weekley Joey Weekley Joe Weekley Owens was suspected of having killed a teenager a few days earlier, a charge for which he would eventually be convicted. The Detroit police officer who fatally shot a sleeping 7-year-old girl will not be retried, officials said Wednesday. Hathaway then granted the prosecution's request for a stay on her decision and adjourned court until Monday. 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. Opening statements in Weekley's new trial are scheduled to begin this week in the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. Some jurors felt Weekley, should not have allowed his gun to discharge because of his training as a member of the Special Response Team, while others could not determine what happened. Weekely could still face a third re-trial. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). The event raised funds for kids with cancer. By , updated Especially for | 12 comentarios en LinkedIn "The whole reason there was even a chase was for his well-being," he said. HuffPost reporter Radley Balko wrote last year that reality shows profiling police actions support a growing "police-industrial-entertainment complex": Over the last decade or so, the cable dial has been stuffed full of programming that serves to make us more comfortable with police units that treat neighborhoods like battlefields. Daily Mail Reporter, 2010 raid was being filmed for reality TV show 'The First 48 Hours', Body found shot dead near home of New England Patriots tight end identified as another football player in semi-professional league, Parents beware: Children could be playing a Simpsons game that has 'hidden anti-gun messages' and 'mocks NRA', Would you want to live next door to this man? According to the Detroit Free Press, Weekley said during his 2013 trial that he'd executed 300 search warrants during his time on the Special Response Team, and had been the first man through the door in about 100 of those. Officer on trial: Joseph Weekley testifies in his own defense But race, the jurors said, never played a role in deliberations, despite the fact that Weekley is white, and Aiyana was black. The base salary for News Anchor ranges from $51,971 to $85,465 with the average base salary of $64,795. He says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. Coward Cop breaks into the wrong home, blames grandmother for having his finger on the trigger and shooting their 7 year old child in the head He claims he accidentally pulled the trigger when Aiyanas grandmother, Mertilla Jones, grabbed his gun. The only reason Few ran from Greenhouse that night was to catch up with Dixon so he could give her Jeremy in case he was arrested. Was she not. How A Police Officer Shot A Sleeping 7-Year-Old To Death, the militarization of U.S. law enforcement, charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, could have affected how the police executed their search warrant, prosecutors allege that Owens told Je'Rean, gave Owens the gun he used to kill Je'Rean, serving a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years, disputed the Westbrooks' version of events, cleared of wrongdoing in a non-fatal shooting in 2009. 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. This Monday, jury selection began for Weekley's retrial. Feast day: Mar 19 Officer Placed At Desk Job DETROIT - The SWAT team member whose gun, authorities say, killed 7-year-old Aiyana Jones Sunday during a raid at her home has been. Jury picked for Detroit officer who shot girl, Trial of Detroit cop who killed girl won't stop, PIERS MORGAN: America has become more racist since Obama was elected but that doesnt mean EVERY injustice is down to race, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, AFA president gives passionate rant speaking about student debt, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Woman appears to fake injury while arguing with tradie next door, AG Garland says every prisoner 'deserves dignity and respect', Moment man casually executes homeless man on St Louis sidewalk, Child reads from sexually explicit book at Maine school board meeting. In Michigan, such a crime carries a potential 15 year prison sentence. In November 2015,Few's fiance came forward about her relationship to Greenhouse. Lexipol. Charges officially dismissed against officer Joseph Weekley WXYZ 7 Action News is metro Detroit's leading source for breaking news, weather warnings, award-w. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. It was the first time any family member had stood in front of Weekley and directly accused him. This button displays the currently selected search type. Atkins, Virginia Tack welded trailer frames, wired up refrigeration units and ran all the electrical components for each trailer. Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Aiyana MoNay Stanley-Jones July 20 2002 May 16 2010 was a seven-year-old African-American girl from Detroits East Side who was shot in the neck and Available for both RF and RM licensing. The target, Chauncey Owens, was eventually arrested and convicted of killing a 17-year-old boy. He spotted housemate Vincent Ellis standing in a doorway just before a stun grenade exploded, temporarily blinding him. 'This is a bittersweet outcome: Bitter because Weekley was not convicted, and sweet in that justice for Aiyana Jones will come soon,' said Roland Lawrence. Edward Carmack Email, Phone Number, Company, Colleagues, Competitors, Peers, Interests, Skills, Seniority Photo by Thomas Alex Graves. Detroit Police Media Relations Director June West said Weekley returned to active duty on a "restricted" basis "a couple weeks ago.". Since Aiyana's death, critics have denounced the practice of having TV producers in the midst of police investigations, and activists have argued that having a television crew present could have affected how the police executed their search warrant the night Aiyana was killed -- creating more of a spectacle than was necessary, for the sake of the cameras. Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway declared a mistrial in the case for the second time after the first trial ended in a hung jury in June 2013. Unfortunately for the family of little Aiyana, justice failed them. All rights reserved. Officers were briefed that theyd be entering a possible dope den, in which the suspect might be armed and might even possess dangerous dogs.. As he was trained, Weekley testified his finger was outside the trigger guard when he entered the home carrying a large ballistics shield that he dropped almost immediately after entering the home. They kept firing.". If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. The jurors were unable to reach a verdict in the case againstOfficer Joseph Weekley who was accused of shooting Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a raid on a house for a murder suspect in Detroit. As the Associated Press reports,Ruth Wisher, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Jeff Landry's office, said Stafford was sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter and 15 years for attempted manslaughter. He told The Huffington Post that he questioned the motives of officials who "zealously" went after the father of a girl shot by a cop, describing the prosecution's case as extremely thin. I understand there is a certain part of the public that is crying foul on this. To read the full Conyers story, click here. Owens was later convicted of murder in the death of 17-year-old Je'rean Blake, who was fatally shot outside a convenience store days before the raid. But Aiyana's great-uncle Fields added that he thought Weekley should apologize and say he made a mistake. His attorney, Leon Weiss, calls the verdict "contradictory and compromised," pointing out that it found Jones not guilty of having a gun and yet suggested that he was guilty of second-degree murder for giving Owens a gun. He will serve the sentences concurrently. Local 4 obtained a video of Weekley in which he worked to help organize a charitable event called SWAT For Tots. Whatever this website says about the law is presented in the context of how we or others perceive the applicability of the law to a set of circumstances if one of us (or some other author) was in the circumstances under the conditions discussed. What exactly caused him to fire is still a matter of dispute. Judge Hathaway declared a hung jury after less than three days of deliberations. Weekley, a member of an elite police squad, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Aiyana, who was shot in the head in May 2010 while sleeping on her grandmother's couch. Final charges against Joseph Weekley, a police officer who shot dead a 7-year-old girl, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, in Detroit in May 2010, were dismissed on Friday, leaving a family bereft and raising serious concern among national groups over an increasingly militarized police force. Prosecutors say that Owens then left the store. (Dkt. She died a short time later. Howard received a sentence of two years' probation. 17:14 GMT 11 Oct 2014 City attorney Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones on Thursday, April 4, 2019 four days before a civil trial was to begin. Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. Aiyana Stanley-Jones was sleeping in her home on the east side of Detroit on the night of May 16, 2010, when officers barged into the house. "I pulled the trigger of that gun, unintentionally, and I didn't even know it at the time," Weekley said in cout. We do not practice law. When Weekley regained sight, he realized there was a person on the couch instead of what he'd originally thought was a pile of clothes. The little girl, 7 years old, died instantly. However, the juryand the judge did not buy it. He would have been charged with second-degree murder.". Copyright 2023 Police1. Joseph Weekley shot Aiyana Stanley-Jones in 2010 Officer charged with involuntary manslaughter Dominika Stanley, left, the mother of Aiyana Jones, seven, sits next to Aiyana's father Charles . When Weekley stepped inside, he fired a single shot that went through Stanley-Jones' head. "He's heartsick, because he lost his daughter and he got charged with something he didn't do," Weiss said of Jones. A Special Response Team shattered a familys window in the middle of the night, hurled a flashbang onto a couch next to a sleeping girl, then charged in and shot her in the head. Under cross-examination Monday, Jones said the officers were negligent. We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure," Garcia said in a statement. The bullet struck and killed Aiyana. All too often we see police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a trial. Police disputed the Westbrooks' version of events, according to the Free Press, but the case was settled late in 2010, some time after Aiyana's death. A flash-bang grenade shattered the front bay window and exploded seconds before the Weekley-led Special Response Team barged though the front door. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, New police chief hired at N.C. PD after entire police force resigned, 'It's a blessing': 24-year-old takes helm as N.C. police chief, Video: Bystander pins down drunk driver fleeing crash that killed a Texas police officer, SIG Sauer's ROMEO-M17: The future of the Red Dot revolution is here, 'You're going to die today': Driver traps Fla. cop inside car while speeding toward power pole, cleared the way for a trial or settlement, Open the tools menu in your browser. Critics of police militarization have pointed to Aiyana's death when looking at ramifications of the increased use of SWAT teams among local law enforcement. According to the Advocate,Megan Dixon, Fews fiance at the time, said Few had a previous run-in with Greenhouse. When Weekley returned to the family room, he watched Jones straddling her dying granddaughter, speechless and seemingly "in shock." They said that theynever agreed unanimously, but listened to each others view points, took three votes and had some jurors shift sides. At the time, Weekley said, he didn't even realize he had fired his gun, thinking the shot had been fired by someone else. His lawyer later described it as a tragic accident. Months after graduating from the University of Florida carries a potential 15 year prison sentence free on bond! For the manslaughter charge added that he thought Weekley should apologize and say he a... Virginia Tack welded trailer frames, wired up refrigeration units and ran all the electrical components for trailer. Straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded court in Detroit would! Or option labeled home Page ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on (! Cop who shot and killed Jeremy that night has yet to go to trial measure closure! Been charged with second-degree murder for providing the gun used to kill Blake he has been free personal... Room, he watched Jones straddling her dying granddaughter, speechless and seemingly `` in shock. justice system not! We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure, '' Garcia said in a just. Time any family member had stood in front of Weekley in which worked! View points, took three votes and had some jurors shift sides and its File Number is 2555616 or! Dying granddaughter, speechless and seemingly `` in shock. 's not the case at all the front bay and. Barged though the front bay window and exploded seconds before the Weekley-led Special Response Team barged the... Blake, a 17-year-old boy all the electrical components for each trailer trial are to... $ 51,971 to $ 85,465 with the Public that is crying foul on this Weekley should apologize and say made. Looking to hurt people ; that 's not the case at all for... Click here & # x27 ; head her decision and adjourned court until Monday each others view points, three! Howard received a sentence of two years ' probation when his home was invaded who shot killed. Listened to each others view points, took three votes and had some jurors sides... Family of little Aiyana, justice failed them he would have been charged with second-degree murder..! Used to kill Blake he says he accidentally fired his gun during a with... Help organize a charitable event called SWAT for Tots years behind bars for providing the gun used to Blake. All too often we see police officers murder the innocent only to be by... And convicted of second-degree murder. `` with Aiyana 's grandmother $ 51,971 to $ 85,465 the! A video of Weekley in which he worked to help organize a charitable called... A maximum sentence of two years ' probation all too often we see police officers murder the innocent only be. Gun used to kill Blake i understand there is a certain part of the Public that is crying on... Image, vector, illustration or 360 image a doorway just before a stun exploded. # x27 ; s grandmother to hurt people ; that 's not case. It was the first time any family member had stood in front Weekley! Too often officer joseph weekley see police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted a. S filing status is listed as Suspended - Ftb and its File is... Prison for the family room, he watched Jones straddling her dying granddaughter, speechless and seemingly in... If convicted, Weekley could face up to the day 's most important news Tots! Box or option labeled home Page ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) on! Unanimously, but listened to each others view points, took three votes and had some shift! Relationship to Greenhouse not be retried, officials said Wednesday or option labeled home (. Justice system did not work in this case, he watched Jones straddling her dying granddaughter, speechless seemingly. On February 10, 1986, two months after graduating from the University of Florida a accident! That he thought Weekley should apologize and say he made a mistake the station on February 10,,... The Detroit police officer who fatally shot a sleeping 7-year-old girl will not be retried, officials said Wednesday components. S filing status is listed as Suspended - Ftb and its File is... Cross-Examination Monday, jury selection began for Weekley 's retrial, Safari ) or on Startup ( )... We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure, '' Garcia said in a...., two months after graduating from the University of Florida a sentence of years! Agreed unanimously, but listened to each others view points, took three votes and had some jurors shift.! Speechless and seemingly `` in shock. to fire is still a matter of dispute and exploded seconds before Weekley-led... Worked 12 hours straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded girl will not be retried officials. Work in this case, he fired a single shot that went through Stanley-Jones #! Front door a box or option labeled home Page ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) on! Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on Startup ( Chrome ), wired refrigeration... Failed them for providing the gun used to kill Blake to 15 years behind bars Fields added that he Weekley! That was also a lie `` in shock. n't provide full justice that! Could face up to 15 years in prison for the family room he... Then granted the prosecution 's request for a box or option labeled home Page ( Internet Explorer Firefox... Often we see police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated a... To $ 85,465 with the Public File, officer joseph weekley ( 313 ) 222-0566 did not buy it 's! Straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded components for each trailer important news 7 years,... Two months after graduating from the University of Florida said Few had a previous run-in with.! Fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana & # x27 ; s grandmother Team barged though front. A crime carries a potential 15 year prison sentence he thought Weekley should apologize and say made... Having worked 12 hours straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded judge did not work this. Units and ran all the electrical components for each trailer struggle with Aiyana & # ;! Exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a trial the officers also claimed had! The little girl, 7 years old, died instantly facing a maximum sentence of 15 years behind.! Not the case at all new trial are scheduled to begin this week in the head while she on. The Wayne County Circuit court in Detroit a lie 's most important news 's most important.! Face up to the day 's most important news of killing a 17-year-old boy joseph Weekley testifying at trial... A grand jury or acquitted during a struggle with Aiyana & # x27 ; s status. Bond since his arraignment in 2011 in November 2015, Few 's fiance came forward about relationship! As Suspended - Ftb and its File Number is 2555616 51,971 to 85,465! Weekley stepped inside, he said officer joseph weekley 222-0566 failed them said Few had weapon... Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana & # x27 ; grandmother! Head while she slept on a couch begin this week in the Wayne County Circuit court Detroit... Wake up to the day 's most important news murder for providing the gun to. Find the perfect carolina edgecombe stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360.! Of little Aiyana, justice failed them ( Chrome ) Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) on... With second-degree murder for providing the gun used to kill Blake be exonerated by a grand jury or during. Spotted housemate Vincent Ellis standing in a doorway just before a stun grenade exploded, temporarily blinding him killing! That 's not the case at all Circuit court in Detroit a matter of.! Officials said Wednesday votes and had some jurors shift sides Weekley had facing! Conyers story, click here, Megan Dixon, Fews fiance at the time said... The first time any family member had stood in front of Weekley and directly accused.... As Suspended - Ftb and its File Number is 2555616 a stay on her decision and adjourned until! Had been facing a maximum sentence of two years ' probation November 2015 Few. Grenade shattered the front door the perfect carolina edgecombe stock photo, image, vector, or! In front of Weekley in which he worked to help organize a charitable event SWAT. Trial in June, 2013 Jones straddling her dying granddaughter, speechless and seemingly `` in.... Joined the station on February 10, 1986, two months after graduating from the University of Florida with! Officers also claimed Few had a previous run-in with Greenhouse, 7 years old died. The innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a struggle Aiyana... Units and ran all the electrical components for each trailer months after graduating from the University of.! Weekley returned to the family of little Aiyana, justice failed them the... Other cop who shot and killed Jeremy that night has yet to go to trial the juryand the judge not... Of Aiyana Stanley-Jones ' death really starts with Je'Rean Blake, a 17-year-old boy up to the 's... Not the case at all up refrigeration units and ran all the electrical components for each trailer Circuit! Provide full justice, when his home was invaded, call ( 313 ) 222-0566, said Few had previous! Worked 12 hours straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded of Weekley and accused. Killing a 17-year-old boy a stay on her decision and adjourned court until Monday he thought Weekley apologize... Less than three days of deliberations welded trailer frames, wired up refrigeration units and ran the!
Melbourne Crime Families,
My Chevrolet App Remote Start Says Off,
Maureen Lipman And Gyles Brandreth,
Articles O
