The attorney for the family of a Charlotte man shot and killed last year says he is happy that the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office will resubmit voluntary manslaughter charges against a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer, but says they are now “skeptical” about getting justice.
On Tuesday, a Mecklenburg County Grand Jury declined to indict Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Officer Randall Kerrick on charges of voluntary manslaughter in the September 14 shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell.
Prosecutors from North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper’s office say they sought the indictment based on an investigation conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation as well as a separate investigation conducted by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Investigators told WBTV that Officer Kerrick fired his weapon 12 times and struck Ferrell 10 times, resulting in his death.
On Tuesday, a Grand Jury asked the District Attorney for a lesser charge than voluntary manslaughter.
“We the Grand Jury respectfully request that the district attorney submit a bill of indictiment to a lesser-included or related offense,” the court papers stated.
Jonathan’s Family released the following statement:
“While we are pleased that the Attorney General is going to resubmit the charges against Randall Kerrick to a new Grand Jury on Monday, we are skeptical given their inability to secure an indictment yesterday,” the statement reads. “Jonathan Ferrell was a quality human being who worked hard and cared for those around him. He deserved better.”
“We are appreciative of the decision by Attorney General Roy Cooper to return to the Grand Jury on Monday to seek an indictment on the original charge of voluntary manslaughter.
We are also appreciative of those in the Charlotte community who are supporting the cause of justice in Jonathan’s case.
We are convinced that the evidence in this case warrants an indictment for voluntary manslaughter and not for some lesser offense.
We urge everyone to allow those in the criminal justice system a full opportunity to meet their professional responsibilities.
The Ferrell family has faith in God that justice will prevail in the end and that Jonathan’s death will not have been in vain.”
