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. As a medical device rep, it's common knowledge that we have a lot of "window time". In Michigan, such a crime carries a potential 15 year prison sentence. A fellow officer is said to have thrown a flash-bang grenade, and Weekley fired his gun shortly after, killing the 7-year-old girl, who was sleeping on the couch. 20:54 GMT 19 Jun 2013. Owens pleaded guilty in April 2011 to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 28 years in prison for Blake's slaying. Jones insists she never touched Weekley or his gun, and she testified that he put his gun to her granddaughter's head and pulled the trigger, MLive reports. An anonymous Detroit official told Mother Jones in 2010 that using the grenade was "not protocol.". The hunt for a murder suspect was being recorded by a crew from 'The First 48,' a police show on A&E Networks. Weekley was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but a judge dismissed that charge during a second trial in 2014. "Aiyana's death was a tragic loss for her family and has been a heavy burden on our community. She denies that she interfered in any way. Rep. John Conyers has also asked the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the girl's shooting death. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. They kept firing.". Local 4 obtained a video of Weekley in which he worked to help organize a charitable event called SWAT For Tots. Mark Diaz, union president of the Detroit Police Officers Association, said he was disappointed by the decision. "Aiyana's death was a tragic loss for her family and has been a heavy burden on our community. If convicted, Weekley could face up to 15 years behind bars. Copyright 2023 The Detroit police officer who fatally shot a sleeping 7-year-old girl will not be retried, officials said Wednesday. A pretrial conference to schedule a new set of hearings and a near jury selection is set for 9am July 25. However, for his family, the outcome of Greenhouse's future trial and the fact that Stafford just got 40 years, are the only things that can provide even a semblance of comfort. The jury could have convicted Weekley of involuntary manslaughter, a felony, or reckless discharge of a firearm, a misdemeanor. That the ten-year-anniversary of Aiyana's death passed largely unacknowledged, . Officer Joseph Weekley had been charged in the death of Aiyana Stanley Jones. Joseph Weekley shot Aiyana Stanley-Jones in 2010 Officer charged with involuntary manslaughter Dominika Stanley, left, the mother of Aiyana Jones, seven, sits next to Aiyana's father Charles . The other cop who shot and killed Jeremy that night has yet to go to trial. Watch: Who Is The Officer Involved In Girl's Shooting? On May 16, 2010, plaintiff's decedent Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7, was inside her Detroit home when she was shot in the head. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Assistant Police Chief Ralph Godbee said Weekley was investigated after he was involved in a barricaded gunman shooting last summer. A surveillance unit had been monitoring the duplex in which he lived throughout the day and a no-knock raid was scheduled for just after midnight. The law is a gray area at best. Then-Police Chief Warren Evans resigned from his post several months later, after authorities discovered he was pitching a reality show called "The Chief.". (Kathleen Galligan/Detroit Free Press via AP, File) 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. The film. Killing of Aiyana Jones. Police said Weekley came into contact with Aiyana?s grandmother, Mertilla Jones, when they busted through the door in the early hours of Sunday morning and his weapon accidentally fired. City attorney Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones on Thursday, April 4, 2019 four days before a civil trial was to begin. Anthony Potts recalled the night 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones was killed during a police raid. A judge has declared a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a verdict for a police officer who shot dead a young girl during a chaotic search for a murder suspect that was recorded by a reality TV crew. FILE - In this June 18, 2013 file photo, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley stands in Judge Cynthia Hathaway's courtroom at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice during his criminal trial in the 2010 killing of Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a police raid in Detroit. How A Police Officer Shot A Sleeping 7-Year-Old To Death, the militarization of U.S. law enforcement, charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, could have affected how the police executed their search warrant, prosecutors allege that Owens told Je'Rean, gave Owens the gun he used to kill Je'Rean, serving a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years, disputed the Westbrooks' version of events, cleared of wrongdoing in a non-fatal shooting in 2009. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). the 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. Besides the glaring presence of toys strewn about the lawn and front porch, it is unlikely that investigators could have missed the presence of four young children and multi-generational family in the opposite unit during their surveillance of the duplex. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. FILE - In this June 18, 2013 file photo, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley stands in Judge Cynthia Hathaway's courtroom at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice during his criminal trial in the 2010 killing of Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a police raid in Detroit. (CBS/AP) DETROIT - Joseph Weekley, a Detroit police officer charged in the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones, testified Thursday that he still feels "devastated and depressed". A fellow officer is said to have thrown a flash-bang grenade, and Weekley fired his gun shortly after, killing the 7-year-old girl, who was sleeping on the couch. 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. During a late night police raid to apprehend a murder suspect, Defendant Officer Joseph Weekley somehow discharged his firearm, fatally wounding seven-year-old Aiyana Jones. They came to kill, and they killed a 7-year-old.'. Weekley has said that the girl's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, who had also been asleep on the couch when police arrived, came up to him and grabbed his gun, causing him to shoot. He says he accidentally fired his gun during. At the time, Weekley said, he didn't even realize he had fired his gun, thinking the shot had been fired by someone else. The comments of visitors or guest authors to the website are their opinions and do not therefore reflect our opinions. Before the night of Aiyana's death, the News reports, Weekley had made multiple appearances on "The First 48.". In November 2015,Few's fiance came forward about her relationship to Greenhouse. The death of Aiyana, who was black, has since been a rallying point for Detroit activists, who say the girl has not received justice. Anyone mentioned by name in any article is welcome to file a response. The prosecution will file an emergency appeal with the Court of Appeals, according to the Detroit News. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement that her office was moving to dismiss the case against Officer Joseph Weekley. 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. 18:48 GMT 19 Jun 2013 Jose had just turned in, having worked 12 hours straight at a local mine, when his home was invaded. A stun grenade was thrown through a window to confuse anyone inside. Photo by Thomas Alex Graves. 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. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. "He's on vacation now, but when he returns, he'll be in a limited duty capacity," Craig told Hunter. As the Free Thought Project has previously reported, this entire scenario could've been over a relationship. Sadly, for Jeremy Mardis, who will never see another Christmas or Birthday or throw the ball with his dad, the reason for the stop that night is irrelevant. Officer Joseph Weekley was charged in connection with Jones' death. # 22-13, Pg. Weekley was first through the door, and saw what he thought was an empty room with a man standing in the far doorway, he testified last year. The only full justice would be to bring Aiyana back and I can't do that.". The Huffington Post has compiled an extensive background on what we know happened before, and since, Aiyana Stanley-Jones lost her life. 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. Available for both RF and RM licensing. The raid occurred after midnight, and Weekley was first through the door of the Stanley-Jones home on the east side of Detroit, as a film crew shadowing the officers filmed for a reality television show. But Aiyana's great-uncle Fields added that he thought Weekley should apologize and say he made a mistake. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Weekley's colleagues gave him the nickname "The Brain," according to The Detroit News, because he was always thinking. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Aiyana Mo'Nay Stanley-Jones (May 16, 2010): Jones, a seven-year-old Black girl, was shot in the head by Detroit officer Joseph Weekley during a raid on the apartment above hers. At the beginning of the case, jurors were asked to decide the officer's fate. The prosecution and defense have offered contradictory depictions of the events leading up to Stanley-Jones' death. Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door during a chaotic search for a murder suspect at her home. Aiyana MoNay Stanley-Jones July 20 2002 May 16 2010 was a seven-year-old African-American girl from Detroits East Side who was shot in the neck and The officers entered Stanley-Joness home searching for a murder suspect who was later found in the adjacent unit, throwing a flashbang grenade into the room where the girl was sleeping with her grandmother, then shooting her in the head seconds later. 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. Detroit Officer Joseph Weekley is charged with involuntary manslaughter. "This was essentially a military assault on a private dwelling," Ron Scott, spokesman for the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, told the Associated Press last year about the raid on the Stanley-Jones home. Information includes the borrower, lender, address or legal description of the property . Weekley was first tried in connection with Aiyana's death in 2013, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict. Game credits for World of WarCraft: Battle for Azeroth (Windows) Before Weekley's trial, potential jurors were asked questions related to the Ferguson shooting and if they had seen reports that might influence their decision in the case. Part of HuffPost Crime. This Monday, jury selection began for Weekley's retrial. We do not practice law. All he had to do is follow his training and we wouldn't be here.'. Detroit police officer who killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer facing charges. This website does not provide legal advice. DETROIT, MI -- It's been five years since Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley led a SWAT team in search of a murder suspect and fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones. Unfortunately, a beautiful little girl, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7, lost her life because of his reckless and violent actions. During Weekleys first trial, a fellow officer, Shawn Stallard, testified that he did not see anyone struggle with Weekley. Officer Weekley faced his first trial in June 2013. Final charges against Joseph Weekley, a police officer who shot dead a 7-year-old girl, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, in Detroit in May 2010, were dismissed on Friday, leaving a family bereft and raising serious concern among national groups over an increasingly militarized police force. 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. The only thing he saw upon entering the home on Lillibridge in Detroit was a "pile of clothes" on a couch by the entrance and a 19-inch TV flickering in the dark room. However, the Clerk of Court, the District Attorneys Office, Marksville Police Department, and City Court noted that they did not have any warrants against him. It should be of no surprise then, when we learn of SWAT raids not just for low-level drug crimes, but also for zoning violations or underage drinking, or that there are now police departments in America that serve every felony search warrant with a SWAT team, regardless of the crime. and Weekley told jurors: I just feel devastated and depressed. Weekley squeezed his eyes to try and regain his sight, he told the court, and heard a high-pitched moan, like someone "out of breath" coming from beneath the pile of clothes. Weekley was also cleared of wrongdoing in a non-fatal shooting in 2009, when he returned fire from a man aiming at officers, according to The Detroit News. Opening statements in Weekley's new trial are scheduled to begin this week in the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. Yahoo News Yahoo News . 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