GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—A trial has begun for a Colorado State trooper charged with fatally shooting a Redlands man after two troopers kicked in the door of his home.
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports ( ) that prosecutors began presenting their case Tuesday against Ivan “Gene” Lawyer.
Lawyer is charged with criminally negligent homicide, assault, trespass and other charges in the 2010 death of 31-year-old Jason Kemp.
Lawyer and Patrol Cpl. Kirk Firko went to Kemp’s home while investigating an accident. Authorities say Kemp wouldn’t let them in without a search warrant and struggled with the troopers at the door.
An indictment quotes Lawyer as saying he thought Kemp fired a gun at him, so he fired at Kemp.
Firko goes on trial in July on a criminal trespass charge and other counts.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
