Charlotte Officer Faces Manslaughter Charge Over Patrol Car Accident

A grand jury indicted Officer Phillip Barker last month on charges of felony involuntary manslaughter in James Michael Short’s death.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Phillip Barker has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after a fatal patrol car accident. (Photo: Mecklenburg County SO)Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Phillip Barker has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after a fatal patrol car accident. (Photo: Mecklenburg County SO)

A charge against a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer has been upgraded after he was accused of hitting and killing a man with his patrol car while on-duty.

A grand jury indicted Officer Phillip Barker last month on charges of felony involuntary manslaughter in James Michael Short’s death.

Barker was originally charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, WSOC TV reports.

Authorities said Barker, 24, was going 100 mph in a 30 mph zone when he fatally struck Short, 28, in July. Investigators said that Barker was responding to a crash at the time of the collision.

About the Author
Page 1 of 2349
Next Page