PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Latest on the homicide trial of a white Pennsylvania police officer in the shooting of an unarmed black 17-year-old (all times local):
10:30 p.m.
The district attorney in Pittsburgh says he disagrees with a jury’s decision to acquit a former police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager as he ran from a car involved just minutes earlier in a drive-by shooting.
But Stephen Zappala Jr. says it is the people of Pennsylvania who decide guilt in criminal cases, and “they have spoken.”
A jury deliberated fewer than four hours Friday before clearing ex-East Pittsburgh Officer Michael Rosfeld of homicide in the shooting of Antwon Rose II last year.
Rosfeld’s lawyer called him “a good man.” During the trial he said the officer feared for his life and had to make a split-second decision.
Zappala said that in the interest of justice, he’ll continue to bring charges where charges are appropriate.
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9:45 p.m.
The family of a black teenager who was shot in the back and killed by a white police officer outside Pittsburgh remained stoic after the man was acquitted.
Antwon Rose II’s sister had tears streaming down her face after the jury cleared former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld of a homicide charge late Friday. Her mother urged her not to cry.
The jury deliberated fewer than four hours before reaching its verdict. There were tears and gasps from black people gathered in an overflow courtroom, and several broke out in song: “Antwon Rose was a freedom fighter, and he taught us how to fight.”
Rosfeld’s wife burst out sobbing as the verdict was announced. She and Rosfeld were hustled out of the courtroom by deputies.
Rosfeld’s attorney, Patrick Thomassey, told reporters that Rosfeld is “a good man.”
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9:25 p.m.
A jury has acquitted a white former police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager outside Pittsburgh.
Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld was charged with homicide for killing 17-year-old Antwon Rose II last June. Rose was riding in an unlicensed taxi that was involved in a drive-by shooting. Rosfeld pulled the car over and shot Rose in the back, arm and side of the face as the teen ran away.
Rosfeld testified that he thought Rose or another passenger in the car had a gun pointed at him.
The jury saw video of the fatal confrontation. The verdict came Friday after fewer than four hours of deliberations.
The shooting triggered protests in the Pittsburgh area last year.
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8:25 p.m.
The jury has reached a verdict in the homicide trial of a white former police officer charged with shooting an unarmed black teenager as he fled a high-stakes traffic stop outside Pittsburgh.
Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld fired on 17-year-old Antwon Rose II last summer in a killing that sparked weeks of unrest.
Jurors informed the court Friday night they have reached a verdict. They can convict Rosfeld of murder or manslaughter, or return an acquittal.
The ex-cop shot Rose in the back, arm and side of the face after pulling over an unlicensed taxi that had been used in a drive-by shooting. Rosfeld ordered the driver to the ground, but Rose and another passenger got out and began running away. Rosfeld says he thought one of the suspects was pointing a gun at him.
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5:10 p.m.
A jury has started deliberating in the homicide trial of a white former police officer charged with killing an unarmed black teenager outside Pittsburgh last summer.
Jurors got the case Friday afternoon.
A prosecutor says former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld acted as “judge, jury and executioner” when he killed 17-year-old Antwon Rose II. Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Fodi tells jurors that Rose didn’t deserve to die.
Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey says that Rosfeld was justified in shooting the fleeing teenager because the officer believed he was in danger.
Rosfeld shot Rose in the back, arm and side of the face as he ran from a traffic stop. Rose had been riding in a car that Rosfeld pulled over because he correctly suspected it was involved in a drive-by shooting.
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4:10 p.m.
Closing arguments have been delivered in the homicide trial of a white former police officer charged with killing an unarmed black teenager outside Pittsburgh last summer.
A prosecutor says former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld acted as “judge, jury and executioner” when he killed 17-year-old Antwon Rose II. Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Fodi said Friday that Rose didn’t deserve to die.
Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey said in his closing argument that Rosfeld was justified in shooting the fleeing teenager because the officer believed he was in danger.
Rosfeld shot Rose in the back, arm and side of the face as he ran from a traffic stop. Rose had been riding in a car that Rosfeld pulled over because he correctly suspected it was involved in a drive-by shooting.
The jury is expected to begin deliberating Friday.
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1:20 p.m.
An attorney for the family of Antwon Rose II says a jury should conclude that the unarmed black teenager was “murdered” by a white police officer last summer.
S. Lee Merritt spoke to The Associated Press on Friday as closing arguments were getting underway in the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld.
Rosfeld shot Rose in the back, arm and side of the face as the 17-year-old ran away from a traffic stop. Rose had been riding in a car that Rosfeld pulled over because he correctly suspected it was involved in a drive-by shooting.
Rosfeld told jurors that he thought Rose or another fleeing suspect had pointed a gun at him. Neither teen had a weapon on him at the time.
Merritt says “it’s pretty obvious” Rose was not a threat to Rosfeld.
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11:30 a.m.
The defense has rested its case in the homicide trial of a white police officer charged with shooting and killing an unarmed black teenager near Pittsburgh.
Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld is charged with gunning down 17-year-old Antwon Rose II last summer.
Rosfeld’s lawyer rested Friday.
Rosfeld testified that he thought Rose had a gun. The defense also called a use-of-force expert who says Rosfeld did nothing wrong.
The jury will hear closing arguments Friday afternoon and then begin deliberating.
Rose was riding in a car that had been involved in a drive-by shooting. Rosfeld pulled the car over and shot Rose in the back as he fled.
One juror, a white woman, was dismissed from the panel Friday and replaced with a white man.
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10 a.m.
A judge has lifted a gag order in the trial of a white police officer charged in the on-duty shooting of an unarmed black teenager near Pittsburgh.
Judge Alexander Bicket lifted the gag order he imposed on parties in the case Friday at the request of the defense. Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey says while he and prosecutors have abided by the judge’s order, the attorney for Antwon Rose II’s family has made comments to the media.
Bicket made his ruling Friday morning.
Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld is on trial for homicide after gunning down the 17-year-old Rose last summer. Rose was riding in a car that had been involved in a drive-by shooting. Rosfeld shot him in the back as he fled.
Rosfeld says he thought Rose or another passenger had a gun.
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1 a.m.
An expert in police use of force says a former officer did everything by the book in a fatal encounter with an unarmed black teenager outside Pittsburgh last summer.
Retired Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Clifford W. Jobe Jr. testified for the defense at the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld, who’s charged with gunning down 17-year-old Antwon Rose II.
Rosfeld fired three bullets into Rose after pulling over an unlicensed taxi that had been used in a drive-by shooting. Rose, a passenger in the car, was shot in the back as he fled.
Jobe told jurors Thursday that Rosfeld followed proper procedure. Prosecutors say Rosfeld gave inconsistent statements about the shooting, including whether he thought Rose had a gun.
The trial resumes Friday with Jobe back on the stand for cross-examination.
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