Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a white Charlotte police officer accused of fatally shooting an unarmed black man who was looking for help.
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The program was launched in advance of the trial of ex-officer Randall Kerrick, who is white and faces a charge of voluntary manslaughter in the 2013 shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. His attorney says he acted in self-defense.
One motion dealt with jury selection, which was scheduled to begin Monday afternoon.
Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin granted the motion but removed several lines from the form that could make identifying prospective jurors easier. Another asked jurors whether they have any feelings – “positive or negative” – about Charlotte police.
Ferrell had been in a vehicle accident and staggered to a nearby house for help.
Ferrell, seeking assistance, was knocking on the front door of residence, and a surprised young woman, fearing a home invasion, called 911. When Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrived on the scene responding to calls from individuals in the neighborhood, Ferrell ran towards them for help. Kerrick responded to the call and wound up shooting Ferrell 10 times.
At several hearings – including one asking for a change of venue – prosecutors and defense attorneys gave a glimpse into how they plan to approach the case.
At a news conference Monday, Ferrell’s family attorney, Chris Chestnut, said he expects the defense to inaccurately portray Ferrell.
“I am standing here speaking for my son”, Ferrell’s mother said.
NewsOne Now panelist Avis Jones DeWeever said there is absolutely “no excuse” for the shooting of Ferrell: “This needs to be a guilty verdict”.
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Two requests to move the trial out of Charlotte have been denied.
