Minnesota officer charged in Castile shooting goes on trial
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The graphic video showing Philando Castile's final moments after he was shot by a Minnesota police officer made headlines nearly a year ago and led to calls for changes in policing.
Prosecutors say Yanez shot Castile, a 32-year-old elementary school cafeteria worker, after Castile told him he was armed.
Philip Stinson, a criminologist at Ohio's Bowling Green State University who tracks fatal police shootings, said convictions of officers are infrequent.
Since the beginning of 2005, 81 officers nationwide have been charged with murder or manslaughter.
"Jurors are very reluctant to second-guess the split-second life-or-death decisions of an on-duty police officer involved in a violent street encounter with a citizen," Stinson said.
The criminal complaint says they show the traffic stop itself and an exchange of information before Castile tells Yanez: "Sir, I have to tell you that I do have a firearm on me."
An autopsy found traces of marijuana in Castile's system, and defense attorneys have indicated they will argue he was stoned, didn't obey the officer's commands and that his own actions contributed to his death.
The public outcry included protests in Minnesota that shut down metro highways and surrounded the governor's mansion.