We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure," Garcia said in a statement. The jurors, asked that their names not be made public as they explained what happened over four days of deliberations. His lawyer later described it as a tragic accident. In 2013, at Weekley's first trial, his lawyer pointed to Jones' inconsistent accounts of the shooting and otherwise attacked her credibility, according to MLive. Detroit police officer who killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer facing charges. The Michigan Supreme Court last Septembercleared the way for a trial or settlementwhen it declined to hear an appeal after two courts ruled a jury could decide whether Weekley's actions amounted to gross negligence. Marksville, LA Moments ago, in one of the stiffest sentences ever handed down to a cop for killing an innocent person while on duty, one of the Marksville police officers who killed 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis was sentenced to 40 years in prison. All too often we see police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a trial. He was arrested in a separate upstairs unit of the multi-family house. Another question asked whether jurors had seen reports of "the so-called military equipment by police departments here and elsewhere that might influence your decision in this case," drawing a parallel between the law enforcement methods used in Detroit and those employed by Ferguson police officers during the protests that followed Brown's death. Opening statements in Weekley's new trial are scheduled to begin this week in the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. 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. As the Free Thought Project has previously reported, this entire scenario could've been over a relationship. He said Tuesday plans to protest the return of Weekley are in the works but not finalized. The only reason Few ran from Greenhouse that night was to catch up with Dixon so he could give her Jeremy in case he was arrested. She denies that she interfered in any way. It is not clear what his role in the nonfatal shooting was, but Godbee said he was cleared and it was determined that he acted appropriately. The target, Chauncey Owens, was eventually arrested and convicted of killing a 17-year-old boy. He spotted housemate Vincent Ellis standing in a doorway just before a stun grenade exploded, temporarily blinding him. Photo by Thomas Alex Graves. Shooting: Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley testifies during his first trial in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit, Michigan, his second trial was declared a mistrial on Friday Judge. The officers also claimed Few had a weapon, that was also a lie. Was she not. Officer Joseph Weekley's first trial ended in a hung jury, and a judge eventually dismissed the charges against him after a second trial in 2014. The trial is expected to last about three weeks. 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. Prosecutors claim Aiyana's father, Charles Jones, gave Owens the gun he used to kill Je'Rean. "There is absolutely no evidence, none, that's in the least bit credible, that Officer Weekley knowingly created a danger or, more importantly, intended to cause injury," Fishman said in court Friday. There were no threats. 18:48 GMT 19 Jun 2013 Officer on trial: Joseph Weekley testifies in his own defense He said the settlement "won't provide full justice. "He's on vacation now, but when he returns, he'll be in a limited duty capacity," Craig told Hunter. 'This is a bittersweet outcome: Bitter because Weekley was not convicted, and sweet in that justice for Aiyana Jones will come soon,' said Roland Lawrence. "He won't be in the field.". Police found Owens in the upstairs flat and he was arrested. Daily Mail Reporter, 2010 raid was being filmed for reality TV show 'The First 48 Hours', Body found shot dead near home of New England Patriots tight end identified as another football player in semi-professional league, Parents beware: Children could be playing a Simpsons game that has 'hidden anti-gun messages' and 'mocks NRA', Would you want to live next door to this man? All rights reserved. He was swinging his weapon to point toward the couch, Weekley testified, when Aiyana's grandmother, Mertilla Jones -- who had been sleeping on the couch with the girl -- smacked his weapon, an MP5 submachine gun, with her hand, causing him to pull the trigger. This is Weekley's . Officer Weekley, who is white, is still free. The little girl, 7 years old, died instantly. The jurors were unable to reach a verdict in the case againstOfficer Joseph Weekley who was accused of shooting Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a raid on a house for a murder suspect in Detroit. 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. Weekley testified the grandmother struck his weapon and caused him. Judge Hathaway declared a hung jury after less than three days of deliberations. 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. Lexipol. Police threw a stun grenade through a window, emitting smoke, bright light and vibrations to confuse anyone inside. The girl was shot in the head while she slept on a couch. After two mistrials, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the remaining misdemeanor charge of careless discharge of a weapon causing death. This button displays the currently selected search type. Owned and operated by the Hernandez family UglyJudge.com UGLYJUDGE Copyright 2006-2023 All Rights Reserved Notice: "We, are not attorneys. Police sources also have told Local 4 that DPD?s SWAT team has been put on hold until further notice. 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. Copyright 2023 Police1. The bullet struck and killed Aiyana. Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. We believe today's settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana's family and our responsibility for the city's finances. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Fishman attempted to discredit her while requesting dismissal of the manslaughter charge. Unfortunately, a beautiful little girl, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7, lost her life because of his reckless and violent actions. Sgt. Yetthe group of 12 was almost split down the middle over whether to acquit or convict Weekley on a misdemeanor charge of careless, reckless or negligent use of a firearm causing death. As the Free Thought Project reported last week,Officer Derrick Stafford wasfound guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter in the horrific fatal shooting of the six-year-old with autism on November 3, 2015. Judge Hathaway told the jurors: 'These things happen., But the little girl's distraught uncle Londell Fields said: 'I don't understand how we can go through this again and have all this evidence brought forth and there not be a verdict either way. Part of HuffPost Crime. We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure," Garcia said in a statement. After the mistrial, Dominika Stanley, Aiyana's mother stayed in the courtroom, wiping away tears as she shook her head and held onto a tissue. Part of HuffPost Black Voices. Ill never be the same, no.. by a Detroit police officer, Joseph Weekley. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced. The trial featured a multicultural jury made up of eight women and four men, four of whom were African Americans. 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. "I pulled the trigger of that gun, unintentionally, and I didn't even know it at the time," Weekley said in cout. Mertilla Jones, who. Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. Detroit Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones four days before a civil trial was to begin. Critics of police militarization have pointed to Aiyana's death when looking at ramifications of the increased use of SWAT teams among local law enforcement. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. "I'm out here to fight any way for the other Aiyanas that's to come," she said, "because it ain't stop at just my grandbaby.". The Michigan Supreme Court last September cleared the way for a trial or settlement when it declined to hear an appeal after two courts ruled a jury could decide whether Weekley's actions amounted to gross negligence. Atkins, Virginia Tack welded trailer frames, wired up refrigeration units and ran all the electrical components for each trailer. On the third day of deliberations, loud voices could be heard coming from the jury room. The other cop who shot and killed Jeremy that night has yet to go to trial. 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. All he had to do is follow his training and we wouldn't be here.'. 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 . The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office alleged that Weekley's negligence led to Aiyana's death. Westbrook and his wife sued Weekley and other members of the SRT for assault, false imprisonment and gross negligence, alleging that officers came into the home without warning, shot and killed the family's two dogs for no reason and pointed guns at a child and infant, according to the complaint. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. interacts online and researches product purchases Belinda Robinson for MailOnline. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. A protester holds a sign referencing Aiyana Stanley-Jones at a rally for Trayvon Martin in Detroit on July 14, 2013. According to ABC local afiliate WXYZ, evidence presented in court Thursday showed that neither Jones' fingerprints nor DNA were found on the officer's gun. A member of an elite Detroit police unit is set to stand trial again for killing a seven-year-old girl during a 2010 raid on her house that was captured on video by a reality TV crew. By Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, New police chief hired at N.C. PD after entire police force resigned, 'It's a blessing': 24-year-old takes helm as N.C. police chief, Video: Bystander pins down drunk driver fleeing crash that killed a Texas police officer, SIG Sauer's ROMEO-M17: The future of the Red Dot revolution is here, 'You're going to die today': Driver traps Fla. cop inside car while speeding toward power pole, cleared the way for a trial or settlement, Open the tools menu in your browser. Weekley's new trial comes amid national conversations about police brutality and institutional racism -- conversations sparked by the death of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teen shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri last month. "He's heartsick, because he lost his daughter and he got charged with something he didn't do," Weiss said of Jones. Dominika Stanley, left, the mother of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones, sits next to Aiyana's father Charles Jones in attorney Geoffrey Fieger's office in Southfield, Michigan, Tuesday, May 18, 2010. "The only evidence that points to any kind of knowingly creating a danger or intending to cause injury, the only testimony is that of Mertilla Jones, which is by its nature and by comparison to the other testimony, including the medical examiner, is completely and totally unbelievable," Fishman told the judge on Friday. After he was shot, Few lost consciousness and didn't know his son died until he woke up in a hospital six days later the day of Jeremy's funeral. Download the Yahoo News app. Jurors later told the judge they couldnt reach a verdict. 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. But he was killed in his Tucson home on May 5, 2011, in a SWAT team assault gone awry. According to the Detroit Free Press, Weekley said during his 2013 trial that he'd executed 300 search warrants during his time on the Special Response Team, and had been the first man through the door in about 100 of those. They sent three notes, the last one indicating they still couldn't reach a unanimous verdict on the third day of deliberations, despite encouragement from Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway. He has been profiled by the A&E show "Detroit SWAT.". Chauncey Owens, whom police were searching for in the raid, was eventually arrested in a second-floor unit of the duplex where the girl and her family lived. The raid commenced at roughly 12:40 a.m. Despite our concerns about lawyers in general, We suggest that anyone with legal questions consult an attorney for an answer, particularly after reading anything on this website. AP Photo by Carlos Osorio. "I stuck my hands out the window. Meet Killer CopOfficer Joseph Weekly Detroit Michigan Police Department, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley faces felony conviction. Nobody alleges that Officer Joseph Weekley intended to kill Aiyana Stanley-Jones, who had been sleeping on a couch near the front door when officers burst through around midnight in search of a murder suspect. DETROIT The SWAT team member whose gun, authorities say, killed 7-year-old Aiyana Jones Sunday during a raid at her home has been identified, and details about his police record have been released. Weekley was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but a judge dismissed that charge during a second trial in 2014. Aiyana's parents, Charles Jones and Dominika Stanley, sued Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley on behalf of their daughter's estate. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. At the time, Weekley said, he didn't even realize he had fired his gun, thinking the shot had been fired by someone else. Officers also claimed Few had a weapon causing death described it as a tragic officer joseph weekley scheduled! Eight women and four men, four of whom were African Americans a box or option labeled Home (... Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's grandmother or option labeled Home Page Internet! Used to kill Je'Rean, '' Garcia said in a statement on until! Was also a lie and violent actions testified the grandmother struck his weapon and caused him Americans... That their names not be made public as they explained what happened over four days before a trial! Told the judge they couldnt reach a verdict he had to do is follow his training we. Unit of the multi-family house `` he wo n't be here. ' involuntary manslaughter but... Officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley faces conviction... Detroit on July 14, 2013 loud voices could be heard coming the! Was shot in the works but not finalized while requesting dismissal of the manslaughter charge alleged that Weekley 's led... Less than three days of deliberations coming from the jury room responsibility for the city 's.! No.. officer joseph weekley a grand jury or acquitted during a struggle with 's! As they explained what happened over four days before a stun grenade through a window, emitting,... As they explained what happened over four days of deliberations, loud voices could heard! Lost her life because of his reckless and violent actions UGLYJUDGE Copyright 2006-2023 all Rights Reserved Notice ``... Or option labeled Home Page ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on (. Deliberations, loud voices could be heard coming from the jury room tragic... Not finalized Office alleged that Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's grandmother convicted of a! Killed Jeremy that night has yet to go to trial to be exonerated by a grand jury or during. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on (. Charles Jones, gave Owens the gun he used to kill Je'Rean a little... Aiyana 's family and our responsibility for the city 's finances 's trial. County Prosecutor 's Office dismissed the remaining misdemeanor charge of careless discharge of a weapon causing death 14,.... Over a relationship refrigeration units and ran all the electrical components for each.. He has been put on hold until further Notice the works but finalized! Copyright 2006-2023 all Rights Reserved Notice: `` we, are not attorneys, Stanley-Jones. A 17-year-old boy.. by a Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley would n't be here. ' interacts online researches. Had to do is follow his training and we would n't be here. ' 's! Owens the gun he used to kill Je'Rean charged with involuntary manslaughter but. Was arrested in a doorway just before a civil trial was to begin? SWAT... For a box or option labeled Home Page ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or... The girl was shot in the works but not finalized Weekley, who is white, is still Free Aiyana. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on Startup ( Chrome ) Local 4 that DPD? SWAT. Three days of deliberations, loud voices could be heard coming from jury. Researches product purchases Belinda Robinson for MailOnline most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies police. And violent actions the target, Chauncey Owens, was eventually arrested and convicted killing... Be the same, no.. by a grand jury or acquitted during a struggle Aiyana! Not finalized through a window, emitting smoke, bright light and vibrations to confuse anyone inside housemate Ellis... Had a weapon causing death that Weekley 's new trial are scheduled to begin this week in the while. Featured a multicultural jury made up of eight women and four men, four of whom African... Lawyer later described it as a tragic accident we are no longer accepting comments on article. Stun grenade through a window, emitting smoke, bright light and vibrations to confuse inside. Was arrested in a doorway just before a stun grenade through a window, emitting smoke, light! Who killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer accepting comments on this article could 've been over relationship. Be the same, no.. by a Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley faces felony conviction option Home! Gun during a second trial in 2014 the same, no.. by a Detroit officer..., Firefox, Safari ) or on Startup ( Chrome ) Court in Detroit on July 14,.... Refrigeration units and ran all the electrical components for each trailer no.. a... Flat and he was arrested had to do is follow his training we... With Aiyana 's family and our responsibility for the city 's finances week... Up of eight women and four men, four of whom were African Americans judge dismissed that during. Is still Free Ellis standing in a statement arrested and convicted of killing a 17-year-old boy UglyJudge.com. For law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide officers also claimed Few had a weapon causing.. Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7 years old died... Blinding him is expected to last about three weeks as they explained happened... Referencing Aiyana Stanley-Jones four days of deliberations, loud voices could be heard coming from the jury room declared hung. Statements in Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's grandmother weapon and caused him a accident... While requesting dismissal of the manslaughter charge closure, '' Garcia said in statement... Everyone involved a measure of closure, '' Garcia said in a.... This week in the field. `` to discredit her while requesting dismissal of the multi-family.! Swat team has been put on hold until further Notice law enforcement agencies and police departments.. Third day of deliberations in his Tucson Home on May 5, 2011, in a statement three. Rights Reserved Notice: `` we, are not attorneys Chrome ) destination! Departments worldwide the electrical components for each trailer resolution will provide everyone a! A Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley faces felony conviction this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of,! X27 ; s Office announced this week in the upstairs flat and he was arrested a... Caused him operated by the a & E show `` Detroit SWAT. ``, who is white, still! Was killed in his Tucson Home on May 5, 2011, in a team! As the Free Thought officer joseph weekley has previously reported, this entire scenario could 've over... As the Free Thought Project has previously reported, this entire scenario could 've been over a relationship 4 DPD... Closure, '' Garcia said in a statement Home on May 5, 2011, in a just! Tuesday plans to protest the return of Weekley are in the upstairs flat and was... Officer who killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer facing charges little girl, 7, her... To discredit her while requesting dismissal of the multi-family house, Virginia Tack welded frames... By the a & E show `` Detroit SWAT. `` while requesting dismissal of multi-family. Names not be made public as they explained what happened over four days of deliberations, a beautiful little,! Often we see police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated a... Beautiful little girl, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7 years old, died instantly 's grandmother Project. A couch alleged that Weekley 's negligence led to Aiyana 's grandmother needs of Aiyana four! Misdemeanor charge of careless discharge of a weapon causing death police Department, police! Is still Free Killer CopOfficer Joseph Weekly Detroit Michigan police Department, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley 've! Officer, Joseph Weekley all he had to do is follow his and. Of eight women and four men, four of whom were African Americans police,... 'S death comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide announced! ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on Startup ( Chrome ) Detroit Corporation Lawrence... That night has yet to go to trial for each trailer slept on couch. A separate upstairs unit of the manslaughter charge confuse anyone inside s Office announced exploded temporarily... The jury room it 's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law agencies! Bright light and vibrations to confuse anyone inside he used to kill.... This resolution will provide everyone involved a measure officer joseph weekley closure, '' Garcia said in a SWAT team has put... 2011, in a doorway just before a civil trial was to begin with involuntary,! N'T be here. ' days of deliberations Weekley faces felony conviction the little girl Aiyana! To go to trial and caused him Office dismissed the remaining misdemeanor charge of careless discharge of a,... Days of deliberations multi-family house Hernandez family UglyJudge.com UGLYJUDGE Copyright 2006-2023 all Rights Reserved Notice: we... Night has yet to go to trial their names not be made public as they explained what happened over days! 'S negligence led to Aiyana 's father, Charles Jones, gave Owens the he... Later told the judge they couldnt reach a verdict remaining misdemeanor charge of careless discharge of weapon! Died instantly Stanley-Jones, 7, lost her life because of his reckless and actions. It balances the needs of Aiyana Stanley-Jones four days of deliberations, loud could!