Philando Castile got victimized by the system.”
The verdict, which came on the fifth day of deliberations, followed the acquittal last month of an Oklahoma police officer who killed an unarmed black man
and, of particular interest here, a prosecutor’s decision last year not to charge the Minneapolis officers who killed another black man, Jamar Clark.
Prosecutors said Officer Yanez had created a dangerous situation, perceived a threat where none existed and,
in addition to killing Mr. Castile, almost wounded Ms. Reynolds and her young daughter in the back seat.
Mr. Gray said Officer Yanez smelled marijuana, believed Mr. Castile matched the description of a recent robbery suspect and saw him grabbing a gun.
“And that’s his fault, not the fault of Philando Castile.”
Mr. Castile was licensed to carry a gun and was recorded on a dashboard camera video calmly telling Officer Yanez that he had a weapon in the car.
Minnesota Officer Acquitted in Killing of Philando Castile -
By MITCH SMITHJUNE 16, 2017
ST. PAUL — A Minnesota police officer, whose fatal shooting of a black motorist transfixed the
nation when his girlfriend livestreamed the aftermath, was acquitted of all charges on Friday.
“He did what he had to do,” Mr. Gray said, adding that the situation was “tragic.”
The jury of 12, including two black people, had to sort through the competing narratives.