SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A Marion County, Oregon, grand jury says a Salem police officer was justified in fatally shooting a 46-year-old man who had refused orders to drop a 12-inch knife and lunged at the officer with the weapon.
Deputy District Attorney Amy Queen says the grand jury listened to nine witnesses, including the wife of Michael Conley, the man who died April 30. The grand jury ruled Monday in the case of Officer David Baker.
Police had responded to a 911 call from Heidi Conley, who said her husband was armed with a knife and not letting her leave an apartment. She was not hurt. The district attorney’s office says Michael Conley had a history of suicidal behavior.
Baker said he fired twice at Conley after the man refused multiple requests to drop the knife, advanced on the officer and lunged at him.
The Oregon state medical examiner found that Conley died of a gunshot wound to the head and that the manner of death was suicide.
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