Policeman who shot teenager dead jailed for 15 years
A WHITE former police officer has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of murder for shooting an unarmed black teenager.
Roy Oliver was convicted on Tuesday for the death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards, who was killed when Oliver fired his gun into a car full of black teenagers leaving a house party near Dallas in 2017.
The former Texas police officer, who faced up to life in prison, was also fined $10,000 (£7,700).
The verdict marked an extremely rare murder conviction for shootings involving on-duty police officers. His lawyers are expected to appeal.
Oliver was a police officer in the community of Balch Springs when he and his partner responded to reports of underage drinking at the party.
Oliver fired into a car carrying Jordan and his friends, later saying he feared the vehicle was moving towards and endangering his partner. Jordan, who was in the front passenger seat, was shot.
The jury deliberated for hours before settling on a prison sentence. Earlier, they heard from Oliver’s mother, Linda, who said he was a good man and a devoted father and asked jurors for a five-year sentence, saying her young grandson needed his father’s support.
“He needs his father’s love. He needs his father’s income. He needs his father’s guidance,” she said.
Oliver’s wife also testified, saying that she was concerned about their three-year-old son, who is autistic.
But the ex-officer’s half sister testified against him, saying she felt compelled to do so after listening to testimony during the trial and that she hoped he “gets what he deserves”.
That came a day after Jordan’s father, Odell Edwards, told jurors that his son always had a smile on his face and dreamed of playing football at Alabama. His stepmother, Charmaine Edwards, said Jordan’s death had left a void in the family and that nothing would make it whole again.
“And I’m forever grateful that you saw it in your hearts, to see that it was wrong. And I’m thankful,” she told jurors after they delivered the murder conviction.
Police initially said the vehicle backed up toward officers “in an aggressive manner”, but later admitted that bodycam video showed the vehicle was moving forwards as officers approached.
Oliver’s partner told jurors he did not believe his life was ever in danger and no guns were found in the vehicle.