Current:Home > ScamsTexas judge finds officer not guilty in fatal shooting of pickup driver-InfoLens
Texas judge finds officer not guilty in fatal shooting of pickup driver
View Date:2024-12-23 15:40:15
DALLAS (AP) — A Texas judge found a Dallas-area police office not guilt of murder on Wednesday for fatally shooting the unarmed driver of a pickup truck that had been reported stolen.
Farmers Branch officer Michael Dunn was acquitted in the 2019 killing of Juan Moreno, 35, after taking the witness stand during a three-day trial in which video was shown of the pickup truck swerving past the police SUV. The case was decided by a judge rather than a jury at the defendant’s request.
Dunn, 47, testified that he opened fire in self-defense, fearing Moreno was going to drive into him moments after he stepped out of his police cruiser. Prosecutors contended Moreno did not pose a threat.
Judge Mike Snipes issued the verdict after deliberating for less than half an hour. Dunn, who’s been on administrative leave from his suburban police department since the shooting, faced a sentence of up to life in prison if he had been convicted.
An attorney for Dunn did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot said in a statement that his team “presented all of the evidence we had” and respects the judge’s decision.
Dunn was indicted two weeks after the June 2019 shooting outside a Dallas shopping center. The officer had followed a white pickup truck reported stolen from the nearby city of Irving and was exiting his cruiser as Moreno was pulling out of the parking lot.
Surveillance video shows Dunn firing into the driver’s side of the truck as it makes a sweeping turn around his vehicle.
Moreno’s family brought a civil suit against Dunn and his department. That action was paused pending the outcome of the criminal case.
veryGood! (5858)
Related
- Democrat George Whitesides wins election to US House, beating incumbent Mike Garcia
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard is being released from prison next week. Here's what to know
- Holidays can be 'horrible time' for families dealing with rising costs of incarceration
- What stores are open and closed on Christmas Day in 2023? Hours for Walmart, Kroger, CVS and more
- Trump is likely to name a loyalist as Pentagon chief after tumultuous first term
- Reality sets in for Bengals in blowout loss to Mason Rudolph-led Steelers
- Massive Ravens-49ers game on Christmas could help solve NFL MVP mystery
- NFL Saturday doubleheader: What to know for Bengals-Steelers, Bills-Chargers matchups
- Stock market today: Asian stocks dip as Wall Street momentum slows with cooling Trump trade
- What makes pickleball the perfect sport for everybody to enjoy
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'SNL' tonight? Musical guest, start time, where to watch Nov. 9 episode
- Dolphins nip Cowboys 22-20 on Jason Sanders’ last-second field goal, secure playoff spot
- 'Grace of God that I was able to get up and walk': Michael Pittman on Damontae Kazee hit
- CBS News poll: What are Americans' hopes and resolutions for 2024?
- Who will save Florida athletics? Gators need fixing, and it doesn't stop at Billy Napier
- Amari Cooper shatters Browns' single-game receiving record with 265-yard day vs. Texans
- Colorado releases additional 5 gray wolves as part of reintroduction effort
- Why Coco Austin Calls Daughter Chanel Her Little Stalker
Recommendation
-
Shocked South Carolina woman walks into bathroom only to find python behind toilet
-
A weekend of combat in Gaza kills more than a dozen Israeli soldiers, a sign of Hamas’ entrenchment
-
NFL denies Eagles security chief DiSandro’s appeal of fine, sideline ban, AP source says
-
'Wait Wait' for December 23, 2023: With Not My Job guest Molly Seidel
-
Judith Jamison, a dancer both eloquent and elegant, led Ailey troupe to success over two decades
-
Retired New York teacher charged with sexually abusing elementary students decades ago
-
Doug Williams' magical moment in Super Bowl XXII still resonates. 'Every single day.'
-
Seattle hospital sues Texas AG for demanding children's gender-affirming care records