Lawyer – Travis County DA Requests a U.S. Supreme Court Hearing in Alleged Police Shooting of Larry Jackson Jr.
In news out of Austin, Texas, on July 12, 2017, the district attorney in Travis County is requesting that the U.S. Supreme Court hear the 2013 case of a Caucasian police officer who allegedly shot and killed Larry Jackson Jr., an African American. Jackson was near a bank in Austin that was being robbed when the alleged shooting occurred. Although initially charged with manslaughter, the officer was ultimately granted immunity, a decision the DA’s office doesn’t agree with.
On the day of the deadly incident, the police officer who allegedly shot Jackson was part of a task force with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Bank robberies were being investigated by the task force. The police officer in this case became suspicious of Jackson, and he chased after him. A struggle ensued, during which Jackson was allegedly shot in the neck. He died from the gunshot wound. In connection with this case, back in 2016, Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday made statements to the effect that the alleged shooting was a horrible accident and condolences were extended to Jackson’s family.
In May 2014, the police officer was indicted on charges of manslaughter by a grand jury in Texas. A federal judge dismissed the charges, however, before the case went to trial. The judge said the officer was part of an FBI task force investigating bank robberies, and for that reason, he was immune to state prosecution.
In September of 2016, an appeals court heard the case. The three-judge panel ruled that immunity would be upheld. It was announced at that time that such a decision would likely mean that the case is over, with the exception of the state seeking an appeal from the U.S. Supreme Court, which is what has happened. It has also been pointed out that although immunity may be granted in the pursuit of state prosecution, there is still the potential of federal prosecution being brought against the officer who allegedly shot Jackson.
As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.
–Guest Contributor
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