Charles Jones was later arrested and jailed, and a woman named Erica Moore subsequently took over as representative of Aiyanas estate. Were gathering information to put a package together, Sgt. All rights reserved. Charges have been dismissed Against officer Joseph Weekley in Aiyana Jones case. He turned toward the jury as he explained what happened in the wee hours on Lillibridge Street in Detroit, even crouching on the floor to demonstrate his position before rushing through the door. The surprising development came after prosecutors finished presenting their case against Joseph Weekley, who mistakenly pulled the trigger and killed Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a chaotic search for a murder suspect in 2010. The settlement still needs approval from the Detroit City Council. This report is based on information that was provided by plaintiffs and defense counsel. The estate's counsel denied this altercation took place. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said that Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway declared a mistrial Friday after the jury deadlocked. Case in point: Officer Joseph Weekley. DETROIT The Michigan Supreme Court has cleared the way for a trial or settlement in a lawsuit against a Detroit police officer who accidentally killed a 7-year-old girl during a raid in 2010. Watch Live: Closing arguments underway in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. Atkins, Virginia. View Joseph Beyer's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. "This is a tragedy no matter how you look at this; and, with regard to officer Weekley and what he has experienced obviously the family has experienceda great deal of pain but what everyone needs to recognizes is that Officer Weekley, and everyone involved, has experienced a great deal of pain. "I was shocked," she said. She died a short time later. "There is absolutely no evidence, none, that's in the least bit credible," argued Fishman, who repeatedly has called Aiyana's death a tragic accident, not a crime. 1. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "And the judge, too.". Helpful Smiles Television (HSTV) Seasons Magazine. Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. Craig acknowledged that tensions were high for officers after five of their counterparts were killed in Dallas last week, but said that was no excuse. Fieger Law PC; 2. www.officer.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. "As she hits it down, I start to pull it back. Weekley will be. Nashville officer Anthony Venable was decommissioned Thursday after he wrote, Yeah. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The decision against having a third trial is not going over well with the family. Officers initially threw a stun grenade into the window of Aiyanas home. The estates counsel denied this altercation took place. Following the ruling, Mark Diaz, presidentDetroit Police Officers Association (DPOA), released the following statement: "We are very pleased with the directed verdict. First published on October 3, 2014 / 4:07 PM. Weekley admitted that his gun fired the shot that killed Aiyana, but maintained that the shooting was an accident. Millennials cease the tagging of Farrakhanian theory on bridges and too, bow their minds. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office requested the case be dropped rather than pursue a third trial for Weekley after two mistrials. MoveOn Civic Action does not necessarily endorse the contents of petitions posted on this site. Weekley maintained that he only shot because the grandmother, Mertilla Jones, struck his gun. An Anderson County, Kentucky, sheriffs employee was fired over a racially charged, profanity-laced Facebook post, LEX 18 reported. Officer Joseph Weekley was charged in connection with Jones' killing. MI called by: Log In. (CBS/AP) DETROIT - Joseph Weekley, a Detroit police officer charged in the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones, testified Thursday that he still feels "devastated and depressed". He said he didn't even feel a recoil in the weapon. 1. I hear the shot.". 1. Millennials cease the tagging of Farrakhanian theory on bridges and too, bow their minds. All rights reserved. Counsel additionally argued that Weekley should not have carried his gun and shield at the same time because the shield blocked his view of what was inside the home. 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. 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. Yet you've got this little girl sleeping on the couch, shot in the head.". Mertilla Jones, who offered some very emotional testimony lastweek, denies any interference. Officer negligently shot, killed 7-year-old girl, per lawsuit, head; other-death; other-gunshot wound; other-loss of services; other-loss of consortium; other-conscious pain and suffering, Government Police; Gross Negligence; Intentional Torts Assault, Battery; Wrongful Death Survival Damages; Civil Rights Police as Defendant; Intentional Torts Assault and Battery, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Charles Jones, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Deceased, and Dominika Stanley v. Police Officer John Doe and Police Officer Robert Row, Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police squad, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones. The girl was shot in the head while she slept on a couch. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. He denied having his finger on the trigger and insisted that the gun went off during a struggle with the child's grandmother, who was inside the home at the time. Detective, explained Sgt. Charges Dropped Against Cop Who Shot Sleeping 7-Year-Old Girl. Apology will be an automated album. Moreover, counsel claimed that Weekley had his finger on the trigger and fired a shot because he was amped up by the presence of the television cameras outside the home. Aiyanas parents, Charles Jones and Dominika Stanley, sued Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley on behalf of their daughters estate. In October 2011, he was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment with a gun. terms of service. MI called by: No. Aiyana Stanley-Jones was shot in the head while she slept on a couch. Will man accused of killing cop get new judge? As of Monday evening, the Wayne County Prosecutors Office said it hadnt received warrant requests from DPD. About Joseph Weekley shell ask, did a kids night slumber really provoke gunfire in Detroit, MI. His second ended in October with a hung jury. In May 2010 Officer Joseph Weekley along with other members of the Detroit Police Department's special response team fired flash bang grenades into the home of Matilla Jones subsequently killing her 7-year-old sleeping grandchild Aiyana Stanley-Jones while a crew for the television show "The First 48" filmed the disaster. Roland Lawrence said Hathaway was "circumventing the role of the jury.". 2023 FOX Television Stations, Family of 6 loses home in house fire, says dog saved 1-year-old in blaze, Facebook did nothing to help woman whose special needs nephew was bullied online, General Motors layoffs coming for white collar workers, The Doctor Is In: Colon Cancer Awareness and the Importance of Early Detection, Angry customers says bad contractor Mr. Brooks just babbles, Metro Detroit mom who lost sons to fentanyl poisoning testifies before Congress, 2 suspects linked to around 900 car thefts busted by Detroit police, DTE and Consumers Energy offers credit for extreme outages - here's how to apply, Michigan Senate approves tax package without $180 'inflation relief' checks, General Motors laying off 500 white collar positions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The raid was recorded for a police reality TV show, "The First 48," and some video was used at trial. Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley stands in Judge Cynthia Hathaway's courtroom at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 as the judge instructs jurors . Detroit, Joe Weekley. 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. But besides his job he still shot my child.". Fox 13 reported the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department suspended two officers with pay the day of the Dallas shootings after one posted a photo on Snapchat of hands holding a gun pointed at an emoji of a black person running. "But, obviously, this judge was there; this judge saw the testimony of Grandma and simply did not believe her, and the judge cannot let this jury speculate on charges especially charges like manslaughter.". Hy-Vee Deals. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A stun grenade, which emits smoke, a bright light and vibrations, was thrown through a window before Weekley's Special Response Team entered the home. The officer was insured through the city of Detroit. There will be no third trial for the Detroit police officer in the shooting death of Jones, 7. With ever-changing and inconsistent statements of a key prosecution witness certainly influencing the jury and damaging the prosecution's case, a mistrial was declared on the third day of deadlocked deliberations. ", A spokesman for a group that pressed for charges in Aiyana's death accused the judge of misconduct. Detroit police union representatives could not immediately be reached. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. The Weekley controversy is one of a handful of instances reported nationally in which officers have been disciplined for speaking out on social media after the Dallas shootings. Weekley was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Weekley admitted that his gun fired the shot that killed Aiyana, but maintained that the shooting was an accident. Weekley was first through the door and allegedly had difficulty seeing when another officer threw a a flash-bang grenade. Lawrence T. Garcia Steven Watt; "Surely, the death of a baby by a well-trained police force must be deemed unacceptable in a civilized society," Lawrence said in a statement at the time. DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A judge on Friday dismissed the most serious charge against a Detroit police officer who fatally shot a 7-year-old girl during a raid, but the trial also was halted to give prosecutors an opportunity to immediately appeal. He had been with them at a park when he got a call to report to duty on a spring Saturday, hours before the fatal raid. The defense agreed to pay the estate $8.25 million. http://news.yahoo.com/grandmother-says-she-watched-officer-shoot-girl-7-164739315.html. We dont want to make an arbitrary decision based on current events.. Its not about white or black, Craig said. The only racists here are the piece of (expletive) Black Lives Matter terrorists and their supporters.. She denied touching his weapon, and at trial the prosecution questioned why Weekley had his finger on the trigger. Joseph Weekley. As activists around the country have widely protested the police killings of unarmed black individuals, including Eric Garner in New York City and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Detroiters have added Aiyana's name to the list of victims. MI called by: ; Pathology; Clinton Township, Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads. He denied having his finger on the trigger and insisted that the gun went off during a struggle with the childs grandmother, who was inside the home at the time. Geoffrey N. Fieger, Lawrence T. Garcia; The best result we found for your search is Joseph Curtis Weekly age 60s in High Point, NC. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Top 3 Results for Joe Weekley. Weekley, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter, said he didn't immediately realize that he had shot Aiyana during the 2010 house raid. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. It's his second trial after a jury last year couldn't reach a verdict. Ogden, "Today we personally informed the family of Aiyana StanleyJones that we have made a decision that we would not be going to trial for a third time in the Joseph Weekley case," Worthy said, calling Hathaway's decision to dismiss the manslaughter charge "unfortunate.". Weekley paused, looked at the ceiling and ran his tongue under his lower lip. We believe today's settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana's family and our responsibility for the city's finances. Joseph Benjamin Weakley was born in 1766, in Rappahannock, Virginia, United States as the son of Jacob Wiggle Weekley. Aiyana was shot once in the head. might influence jurors' opinions on cops He said the settlement "won't provide full justice. At the Pontiac church event, Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko said her officers have been receiving countless thank yous since the Dallas shooting. The criminal case against Joseph Weekley in the death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones appears over, a civil case is just getting started. "She hit it in a downward motion," Weekley told the jury. "I just feel devastated and depressed," Weekley said of the shooting. October 3, 2014 / 4:07 PM Detroit police over the weekend arrested four Detroit men for allegedly threatening on Facebook to kill police officers. Check for online issue dates in the link below. DETROIT The Michigan Supreme Court has cleared the way for a trial or settlement in a lawsuit against a Detroit police officer who accidentally killed a 7-year-old girl during a raid in 2010. Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley testifies during his trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter and careless discharge of a firearm causing death, in Wayne County Circuit Court in. She was then taken to Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit. Aiyana's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, denies that she struggled for the gun, but the officer insists that's what happened. Joseph Weekley, charged with involuntary manslaughter, testified in his own defense on the eighth day of trial, telling jurors that he remains "devastated and depressed" over the death of Aiyana . We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure," Garcia said in a statement. We lose sight of those who work feverishly for us every day. I would have done 5 on Facebook, according to The Tennessean. | Privacy Policy. Joseph Weekley, Carl Schmidt; This is a troubling time and there seems to be a loss of respect, Pontiac Pastor Douglas P. Jones said. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "You can't have a raid like this end up with this little girl sleeping on the couch getting shot in the head under these circumstances," said Robert Giroux, an attorney who is filing a lawsuit against Weekley. Contact Sales - 1-800-445-6823 | Customer Support - 1-800-832-1900, Subscribe to VerdictSearch Michigan for access to all Michigan verdicts, Misplaced femoral line led to leg amputation, plaintiff argued, Negligently installed manhole cover caused crash: motorist, Hospital negligence caused childs brain damage: plaintiff, Years of exposure to asbestos caused painful death: estate. The jury again deadlocked while deliberating whether to convict Weekley of the lesser charge, causing a second mistrial. He was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter and careless discharge of a firearm causing death, a misdemeanor, after Aiyana Stanley-Jones was killed in 2010 during a botched police raid at her home. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Weekley said he wasn't reckless. The family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, said the settlement should allow the family, the city and Weekley to move on from the tragedy. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. MoveOn Petitions is an open tool that anyone can use to post a petition advocating any point of view, A second Detroit Police Department official, a sergeant, is also being investigated for a controversial Facebook post, Craig said at the press conference. 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. / CBS Detroit. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Alex Murdaugh testifies 4 years after fatal boat crash involving son. MI called by: MI, Weekley then entered the home with a ballistic shield and sub-machine gun. 2 where a civil case where the family of Aiyana Jones is suing Weekley and the Detroit Police Department for gross negligence and money. or. See Photos. Weekley's first trial ended in a hung jury and the second, in a mistrial. Langton said that the remainingmisdemeanor chargewould not result in jail time if Weekley is convicted. 2. He would have specifically disputed the estates claim for conscious pain and suffering. Weekley's first trial ended in a mistrial in June 2013. Nathan Weekley, a 17-year veteran of the department, was demoted to the rank of officer after the post went viral, police Chief James Craig said Monday. Testifies 4 years after fatal boat crash involving son again deadlocked while deliberating to... 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