Video: VA Officer Found Not Guilty of Manslaughter in OIS
A jury has found a Norfolk, VA, police officer not guilty in the 2014 death of a mentally ill man.
A jury has found a Norfolk, VA, police officer not guilty in the 2014 death of a mentally ill man, reports WVEC. "Just two and a half years of waiting for this weight to be off my shoulders," Officer Michael Edington said outside court, with tears running down his face. "I have my life back."
Edington was charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of David Latham. He faced one to 10 years in prison had he been convicted.
Prosecutors argued that Latham held the knife at his side without advancing toward Edington. The officer shot him several times.
Edington testified that Latham threatened violence, moved the knife, and made a small step as if to attack.
Latham suffered from schizophrenia and was off his medication. His family called 911 after he grabbed a knife during an argument.
The family has filed a $9 million civil lawsuit against Edington.
Edington is currently assigned to administrative duty, but said outside court Thursday he wants to continue on as a police officer. "It's something that I'm passionate about."
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