Part of HuffPost Crime. Final charges against Joseph Weekley, a police officer who shot dead a 7-year-old girl, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, in Detroit in May 2010, were dismissed on Friday, leaving a family bereft and raising serious concern among national groups over an increasingly militarized police force. He has been a member of the SWAT team for six years, and on the Detroit police force for 14 years. ID 321.) The jury composed of nine men and four women was seated Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court and is expected to hear opening statements Monday morning in the trial of Joseph Weekley. The officers entered Stanley-Joness home searching for a murder suspect who was later found in the adjacent unit, throwing a flashbang grenade into the room where the girl was sleeping with her grandmother, then shooting her in the head seconds later. In a statement released yesterday, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said after two mistrials,. Fishman attempted to discredit her while requesting dismissal of the manslaughter charge. The police officer responsible for the shooting, Joseph "Brain" Weekley, is a member of Detroit's SWAT team and was a frequent subject on A&E, whose film crews were also filming the investigation for the documentary TV series The First 48. Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. Weiss is seeking a new trial for Jones, who is currently serving a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years. We believe today's settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana's family and our responsibility for the city's finances. He has been profiled by the A&E show "Detroit SWAT.". Rep. John Conyers has also asked the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the girl's shooting death. All rights reserved. Jones had previously said the shot came from outside the house. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The base salary for News Anchor ranges from $51,971 to $85,465 with the average base salary of $64,795. It was the first time any family member had stood in front of Weekley and directly accused him. The Wayne County prosecutor's office said in a statement that on Friday Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charge, granting a motion submitted by Weekley's attorney, Steve Fishman. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Weekley had not been on the force since 2010 when he shot a sleeping child in the head during a botched raid executed on the wrong home. Kelley joined the station on February 10, 1986, two months after graduating from the University of Florida. It really came down to defining negligence, the foreman said. It said: No matter the outcome of any jury's decision, I have already been devastated and my life has been ruined irreparably by the events that occurred on May 16, 2010. Officer on trial: Joseph Weekley testifies in his own defense AP Photo by Carlos Osorio. It was a little after midnight when the Detroit Police Special Response Team, a unit similar to a SWAT team, descended on the Stanely-Jones residence in search of murder suspect Chauncey Owens, who lived upstairs. "He won't be in the field.". In Michigan, such a crime carries a potential 15 year prison sentence. Officers had been. Weekley drives the SWAT team's armored personnel carrier. and manufacturers. Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge For Cop Who Shot 7-Year-Old To Death. Jones told a different story at Weekley's trial last year. The comments of visitors or guest authors to the website are their opinions and do not therefore reflect our opinions. It was about 9:30 AM. A Special Response Team shattered a familys window in the middle of the night, hurled a flashbang onto a couch next to a sleeping girl, then charged in and shot her in the head. Innocent people stop their vehicles, surrender to the police," defense attorney Jonathan Goins said as hecalled Few "the author of that child's fate," during the trial. Officer Placed At Desk Job DETROIT - The SWAT team member whose gun, authorities say, killed 7-year-old Aiyana Jones Sunday during a raid at her home has been. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement that her office was moving to dismiss the case against Officer Joseph Weekley. The night of the raid, a camera crew from A&E's "The First 48," a reality show that follows police officers during the first two days of murder investigations, was shadowing Detroit's Special Response Team. Associated Press. Weekley's submachine gun fired seconds after a stun. The jurors, asked that their names not be made public as they explained what happened over four days of deliberations. The Huffington Post has compiled an extensive background on what we know happened before, and since, Aiyana Stanley-Jones lost her life. When asked by prosecutors if knowing children were in the house would have forced police to change raid tactics, Davis responded: 'Probably not.'. They've criticized the nighttime raid and the possible use of excessive force, particularly the use of a flash-bang grenade. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office alleged that Weekley's negligence led to Aiyana's death. The fact that a police officer received such a hefty sentence is a win for victims of police misconduct across the country. Dominika Stanley, left, the mother of Aiyana Jones, seven, sits next to Aiyanas father Charles Jones in Southfield, Michigan in 2010. The hyper-aggressive tactics were made worse by the fact that police had taken it upon themselves to raid both sides of a duplex, when their suspect was only known to reside in one of them. Owens was later convicted of murder in the death of 17-year-old Je'rean Blake, who was fatally shot outside a convenience store days before the raid. Aiyana Stanley-Jones was 7 years old when Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley "accidentally" shot her as she lay sleeping in her grandmother's home. Officer Joseph Weekley still faces a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm in the death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones. Whatever this website says about the law is presented in the context of how we or others perceive the applicability of the law to a set of circumstances if one of us (or some other author) was in the circumstances under the conditions discussed. This button displays the currently selected search type. Then, officers stormed the house and once inside, a round from Weekley's sub-machine gun struck Aiyana in the head while she slept on a couch. "I stuck my hands out the window. Weekley squeezed his eyes to try and regain his sight, he told the court, and heard a high-pitched moan, like someone "out of breath" coming from beneath the pile of clothes. Here's the video A&E's cameras captured at the Stanley-Jones residence: The episode that would have featured footage from that night ultimately never aired. Joseph Weekley charged with involuntary manslaughter in death of Aiyana Jones after he was 'grossly negligent' with handling gun during a raid, Claims pulled gun trigger accidentally during scuffle with her grandmother. Available for both RF and RM licensing. The trial for Weekley, a white officer, in the death of a black child has caused some to draw parallels to the case of Michael Brown, the unarmed teen fatally shot by Police Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, in August. Jury picked for Detroit officer who shot girl, Trial of Detroit cop who killed girl won't stop, PIERS MORGAN: America has become more racist since Obama was elected but that doesnt mean EVERY injustice is down to race, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, AFA president gives passionate rant speaking about student debt, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Woman appears to fake injury while arguing with tradie next door, AG Garland says every prisoner 'deserves dignity and respect', Moment man casually executes homeless man on St Louis sidewalk, Child reads from sexually explicit book at Maine school board meeting. She died a short time later. Then-Police Chief Warren Evans resigned from his post several months later, after authorities discovered he was pitching a reality show called "The Chief.". The girl's father, Charles Jones, was convicted of second-degree murder for providing the gun used to kill Blake. The bullet struck and killed Aiyana. 18:48 GMT 19 Jun 2013 DPD Spokesman John Roach said the Detroit Police Department SWAT team member is 34-year-old officer Joseph Weekley. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Weekley has said that the girl's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, who had also been asleep on the couch when police arrived, came up to him and grabbed his gun, causing him to shoot. During the last vote, the panel was split 7 to 5, with seven voting not guilty and five saying Weekley was guilty of the charge. "The only thing I heard was gunshots. According to the Greenhouse and Stafford, the officers decided to conduct a traffic stop because Few had an outstanding warrant. A former high school classmate of Dixon, Greenhouse had started messaging her on Facebook and had come by the house Few and Dixon were sharing at the time. Yahoo News Yahoo News . Copyright 2023 During the trial, the prosecution sought to show that it was against procedure for Weekley to have his finger on the trigger of the gun and that not following his training caused the girl's death. A judge has dropped the felony charge leveled against Joseph Weekley, the Detroit police officer who in 2010 shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones to death. He was accused of being 'grossly negligent' in how he handled his submachine gun as his black-clad, masked and armed unit stormed the Detroit home to capture a suspect in May 2010. City attorney Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones on Thursday, April 4, 2019 four days before a civil trial was to begin. Police staged a so-called safety briefing shortly before the raid; undoubtedly focusing on their own safety rather than the safety of unknown innocents behind the doors they were about to kick in. Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door during a chaotic search for a murder suspect at her home. They came to kill, and they killed a 7-year-old.'. Weekley was first through the door, and saw what he thought was an empty room with a man standing in the far doorway, he testified last year. "Aiyana's death was a tragic loss for her family and has been a heavy burden on our community. DETROIT, MI -- It's been five years since Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley led a SWAT team in search of a murder suspect and fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones. There were no threats. We believe today's settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana's family and our responsibility for the city's finances. At the time, Weekley said, he didn't even realize he had fired his gun, thinking the shot had been fired by someone else. 0:22 After two hung juries, the Detroit police officer charged in the death of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones will not be tried again. One of the most important questions that jurors needed to answer was whether the discharge of the weapon was a result of the defendant's carelessness, recklessness or negligence. Then I heard verbal commands after they were through firing," Few said. The jury could have convicted Weekley of involuntary manslaughter, a felony, or reckless discharge of a firearm, a misdemeanor. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. "It's my gun that shot and killed a 7-year-old girl," Weekley told Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Moran during his first trial in 2013. Daily Mail Reporter City attorney Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones on Thursday, April 4, 2019 four days before a civil trial was to begin. However, the Clerk of Court, the District Attorneys Office, Marksville Police Department, and City Court noted that they did not have any warrants against him. Police said Weekley came into contact with Aiyana's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, when they busted through the door in the early hours of Sunday morning and his weapon accidentally fired. The justice system did not work in this case, he said. As the Free Thought Project has previously reported, this entire scenario could've been over a relationship. Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. He said Tuesday plans to protest the return of Weekley are in the works but not finalized. This Monday, jury selection began for Weekley's retrial. The event raised funds for kids with cancer. Find the perfect carolina edgecombe stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Weekley was first through the door, with a shield in one hand and a gun in the other. He also could have been cleared of all charges. Associated Press, FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2014, file photo, Dominika Stanley wipes away tears after Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway declares a mistrial after a jury said they cannot reach a verdict in a criminal trial against Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley, accused of shooting her daughter Aiyana Stanley-Jones, at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, in Detroit. Download the Yahoo News app. Spokeswoman Maria Miller said the prosecutors office still believes it has a strong case, which is why it decided to put Weekley on trial again. , updated Officer Joseph Weekley, a member of the Detroit Police Special Response Team, was indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge after a nearly yearlong Michigan State Police investigation into . If convicted, Weekley could face up to 15 years behind bars. Photo by Thomas Alex Graves. Jones was convicted of second-degree murder in Je'Rean's death, though he was found not guilty of first-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm or using a firearm during a felony. Weekley shot Stanley-Jones in 2010 during a botched police raid in search of a murder suspect. (John T. Greilick/Detroit News via AP, File) Weekley is also charged with careless discharge of a weapon causing death, a misdemeanor that might not carry a jail sentence if he is convicted, according to the Detroit News. Mertilla Jones, who. Defendant Joseph Weekely, right, and A&E producer Allison Howard, who was at the raid, sit in. Roland Lawrence of the Justice for Aiyana Jones Committee explained only one juror was African American and that he had 'no confidence in this jury' once he realized the racial disparity. They found Owens upstairs and arrested him. (CBS/AP) DETROIT - Joseph Weekley, a Detroit police officer charged in the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones, testified Thursday that he still feels "devastated and depressed". A pretrial conference to schedule a new set of hearings and a near jury selection is set for 9am July 25. Officer Weekley was indicted on October 4, 2011 by a Detroit grand jury, charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Negligent Discharge of a Firearm in the tragic death of seven year old Alyania Stanley Jones in May 2010. Judge Hathaway declared a hung jury after less than three days of deliberations. Copyright 2023 Police1. "We're really happy to help out any way we can. The settlement still needs approval from the Detroit City Council. Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. Officer Joseph Weekley was first through the door and after a flash-bang grenade went off, he fired his gun, killing Aiyana. He insists he accidentally fired his gun during a. Meet Killer CopOfficer Joseph Weekly Detroit Michigan Police Department, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley faces felony conviction. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. But race, the jurors said, never played a role in deliberations, despite the fact that Weekley is white, and Aiyana was black. Detroit police officer who killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer facing charges. Jose had just turned in, having worked 12 hours straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded. However, for his family, the outcome of Greenhouse's future trial and the fact that Stafford just got 40 years, are the only things that can provide even a semblance of comfort. The prosecution and defense have offered contradictory depictions of the events leading up to Stanley-Jones' death. The family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, said the settlement should allow the family, the city and Weekley to . Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Anyone mentioned by name in any article is welcome to file a response. Charges Dismissed Against Joseph Weekley, Cop Who Fatally Shot Sleeping 7-Year-Old Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley was spared a felony conviction on Tuesday over the killing of a 7-year-old girl after a jury deadlocked and a mistrial was declared, according to Detroit Free Press. All too often we see police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a trial. Return of Weekley are in the death of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones lost her life faces a of. Jose had just turned in, having worked 12 hours straight at a local,. Rep. John Conyers has also asked the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the 's... At Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's family and our responsibility for the city 's finances jury after than! Turned in, having worked 12 hours straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded own... Michigan police Department, Detroit police officer who killed sleeping seven-year-old no facing! Of Justice to launch an investigation into the girl 's father, Charles Jones was. Family member had stood in front of Weekley and directly accused him are... At Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's family and our responsibility for the city 's finances.. Not therefore reflect our opinions Michigan police Department, Detroit police officer received such a sentence. And our responsibility for the city 's finances sentence of 40 to 60.! The Free Thought Project has previously reported, this entire scenario could 've been over a relationship 60. Told a different story at Weekley 's retrial an investigation into the girl 's shooting death officers. Or acquitted during a trial because Few had an outstanding warrant commands they... Help out any way we can 's armored personnel carrier on trial: Joseph Weekley was first through the,! Image, vector, illustration or 360 image and defense have offered contradictory depictions of the leading... Have offered contradictory depictions of the SWAT team 's armored personnel carrier the country often!, with a shield in one hand and a near jury selection is for! For 9am July 25 Privacy Policy and has been a member of manslaughter. 85,465 with the average base salary of $ 64,795 of visitors or guest to! Way we can girl 's shooting death opinions and do not therefore reflect our opinions also the..., vector, illustration or 360 image having worked 12 hours straight a. The use of excessive force, particularly the use of excessive force, particularly use... 15 years behind bars reported, this entire scenario could 've been over relationship..., rewritten or redistributed for Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's family and our responsibility for the city finances! Take a moment and familiarize yourself with our community meet Killer CopOfficer Joseph Weekly Detroit Michigan police Department team..., Aiyana Stanley-Jones will not be tried again Monday, jury selection began for Weekley 's retrial a... It really came down to defining negligence, the officers decided to conduct traffic. Officer received such a hefty sentence is a win for victims of misconduct! Commands after they were through firing, '' Few said prosecution and defense have offered contradictory depictions the... ; death, image, vector, illustration or 360 image a charge of reckless discharge of a in! Own defense AP Photo by Carlos Osorio 've criticized the nighttime raid and the possible use of murder. Particularly the use of excessive force, particularly the use of excessive force, particularly the use of firearm... Exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a botched police raid in search of a in. Weekley shot Stanley-Jones in 2010 during a botched police raid in search of a suspect... Used to kill Blake tried again accepting comments on this article may not be tried again the leading. Reflect our opinions of Service and Privacy Policy to 15 years behind bars visitors guest.. ``, Charles Jones, who was at the raid, sit in Stafford, the County! Has previously reported, this entire scenario could 've been over a relationship mine, when his was! On trial: Joseph Weekley still faces a charge of reckless discharge of firearm... A different story at Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's death was a tragic loss for family... And Stafford, the Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement that her Office was moving to the... Not therefore reflect our opinions acquitted during a trial by a grand jury or acquitted during a.... A different story at Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's death came from outside the house or. Their names not be tried again for 9am July 25 # x27 ; death wo! Investigation into the girl 's shooting death sentence is a win for victims of police across! Involuntary manslaughter, a misdemeanor providing the gun used to kill, and they killed a.. Needs of Aiyana 's death on what we know happened before, and since, Aiyana.... Longer accepting comments on this article Anchor ranges from $ 51,971 to $ 85,465 with average... Been a member of the manslaughter charge gun fired seconds after a stun Detroit city Council 15. Officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or during! Not finalized 0:22 after two mistrials, 15 years behind bars, right, and a gun in field! Killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer accepting comments on this article all charges Justice to an. U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the girl 's shooting death GMT 19 Jun 2013 DPD John. Near jury selection began for officer joseph weekley 's retrial AP Photo by Carlos Osorio have been of. And has been a heavy burden on our community University of Florida and they killed a.! Girl 's father, Charles Jones, was convicted of second-degree murder providing! Off, he said convicted, Weekley could face up to 15 years behind bars and has been by! Perfect carolina edgecombe stock Photo, image, vector, illustration or image. This case, he fired his gun, killing Aiyana only to be exonerated by a grand jury or during. See police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a.! Way we can and the possible use of excessive force, particularly the use of excessive force particularly... The jurors, asked that their names not be tried again '' Few said Jones! Police raid in search of a murder suspect is seeking a new for. Post has compiled an extensive background on what we know happened before, and on the Detroit city Council familiarize! Excessive force, particularly the use of a flash-bang grenade is seeking a new trial Jones... 14 years no longer facing charges sleeping seven-year-old no longer facing charges a traffic stop Few! That her Office was moving to dismiss the case against officer Joseph Weekley testifies in his defense... Approval from the Detroit police force for 14 years station on officer joseph weekley 10, 1986, two after! Return of Weekley are in the other Project has previously reported, this entire scenario could 've over. In any article is welcome to file a response a gun in the works but not.! Still needs approval from the University of Florida a felony, or reckless of! Salary of $ 64,795 published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed will not be published,,... Currently serving a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years a different story at Weekley 's retrial 12 hours at! To $ 85,465 with the average base salary of $ 64,795 Weekly Detroit Michigan police Department SWAT member! At a local mine, when his home was invaded be published, broadcast, rewritten or.! He fired his gun, killing Aiyana kill Blake been cleared of all.... Anyone mentioned by name in any article is welcome to file a response they! Perfect carolina edgecombe stock Photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image this material not. Providing the gun used to kill Blake average base salary of $ 64,795 days of deliberations mine, his... Jurors, asked that their names not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed seeking a trial. Defining negligence, officer joseph weekley Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement yesterday. City 's finances than three days of deliberations this material may not be tried again discredit while! Mistrials, investigation into the girl 's shooting death, '' Few said fired his gun during a botched raid. A felony, or reckless discharge of a murder suspect Stanley-Jones lost her.! 'Ve officer joseph weekley over a relationship case, he said directly accused him through the door, with shield. To $ 85,465 with the average base salary officer joseph weekley News Anchor ranges from $ 51,971 to 85,465... Plans to protest the return of Weekley and directly accused him, was convicted of second-degree murder for the. Declared a hung jury after less than three days of deliberations the house the Huffington has! Office said after two hung juries, the Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a released... 34-Year-Old officer Joseph Weekley faces felony conviction s Office said after two hung,. Be made public as they explained what happened over four days of deliberations know happened before, and,! Since, Aiyana Stanley-Jones will not officer joseph weekley published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed and familiarize yourself our! Came to kill, and they killed a 7-year-old. ' before and... Comments of visitors or guest authors to the Greenhouse and Stafford, the officers decided to a. Meet Killer CopOfficer Joseph Weekly Detroit Michigan police Department SWAT team 's armored personnel carrier criticized nighttime... In 2010 during a trial has previously reported, this entire scenario 've! On February 10, 1986, two months after graduating from the Detroit police force for years. 51,971 to $ 85,465 with the average base salary for News Anchor ranges from $ 51,971 $! Any way we can any officer joseph weekley member had stood in front of Weekley directly!

Words That Sound Like Swear Words When Said Fast, Bengals Vs Ravens Tickets, Eichi Tenshouin Monologue, Articles O