Rare trial nears for Chicago police officer in fatal shooting

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Rare trial nears for Chicago police officer in fatal shooting

BY FIONA ORTIZ
CHICAGO Wed Dec 3, 2014 1:26pm EST

(Reuters) - A judge on Wednesday ordered a pre-trial hearing in January for a Chicago police officer who shot and killed a young black woman in 2012 in a case that has gained notoriety in the national debate in recent months over policing and race.

Dante Servin is the first Chicago police officer in 17 years to face criminal charges in a shooting death. He is charged with involuntary manslaughter and other felony offenses in connection with the off-duty shooting of Rekia Boyd, 22.

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According to prosecutors, Servin was in plain clothes when he called 911 late on March 20, 2012, to report a large, loud party in a park near his home. After midnight, on March 21, he left his home to get food. He was carrying an unregistered Glock semi-automatic on his hip, according to the indictment.

Servin got into an argument with a group of young people in an alley. He shot at them from his car, according to prosecutors. Boyd died the next day from her injuries.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/03/us-usa-chicago-police-shooting-idUSKCN0JH16N20141203

[Lurks Often]

1. Why only involuntary manslaughter?

He was off duty, he wasn't in any apparent danger and firing into a crowd is something any reasonable person would consider reckless, which should reach the threshold for voluntary manslaughter