A federal jury has ordered a Philadelphia Police officer to pay $138,000 to the family of a suspect he fatally shot after cornering him in a yard following a foot pursuit, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The verdict against Officer Marvin Burton came despite three separate investigations by the District Attorney's office, Internal Affairs Division, and the Firearms Discharge Review Board that ruled the shooting justifiable.
Burton chased Raymond Pelzer, 25, who had run from two other officers checking his ID. The officer eventually cornered Pelzer, who was wanted on a probation violation, in a yard. The man held his waistband, refused to show his hands and thrust what turned out to be a cellphone at the officer.
