GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Jurors in Grand Junction have acquitted a state trooper of four charges and have deadlocked on two other counts stemming from the fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect.
The Daily Sentinel reports () jurors acquitted Ivan “Gene” Lawyer on Thursday of criminally negligent homicide, first-degree criminal trespass, prohibited use of a weapon and criminal mischief in the 2010 shooting that killed Jason Kemp. Jurors were hung on charges of second-degree assault and illegal discharge of a firearm.
Lawyer and State Patrol Cpl. Kirk Firko had gone to Kemp’s home while investigating a traffic accident. Authorities say Kemp struggled with the officers at his door. Lawyer said he saw Kemp raise his arm and thought Kemp had a weapon when he shot at him.
Firko is scheduled for trial July 16.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
