Violence flares over ex-policeman’s acquittal
POLICE in St Louis were last night bracing for a third day of violent protests following the acquittal of a white former police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man.
A day earlier, officers arrested nine people as demonstrators used rubbish bins to smash widows and hurled bottles, stones and other projectiles at police. Hundreds of officers in riot gear moved in with armoured vehicles.
Trouble flared for the first time on Friday when hundreds of protesters took to the streets chanting, “Black lives matter,” after Jason Stockley, 36, was acquitted of murdering Anthony Lamar Smith, 24. More than 33 protesters were arrested and 11 police officers were injured during scuffles. Mr Stockley, a police officer at the time, was recorded saying, “Gonna kill this [expletive], don’t you know it,” during a car chase after Mr Smith.
Stockley, 36, testified he felt he was in danger because he saw Smith holding a revolver when the suspect backed his car toward officers and sped away.
But prosecutors allege that Stockley planted a gun in Smith’s car after the shooting, and presented evidence that the officer’s DNA was on the weapon but his victim’s was not.
The demonstrations forced U2 to cancel a concert on Saturday night after police said they would not be able to guarantee security. Ed Sheeran followed suit, cancelling a planned performance last night.