GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Mesa County prosecutors have dismissed charges against a Colorado State Patrol corporal in connection with the death of an unarmed suspect.
Cpl. Kirk Firko faced charges including criminal trespass and criminal mischief following the shooting death of Jason Kemp in 2010. Firko and state Trooper Gene Lawyer had gone to Kemp’s home while investigating a traffic accident. Lawyer said he shot Kemp during a struggle, thinking Kemp had a weapon.
A jury in April acquitted Lawyer on four charges including criminally negligent homicide. It deadlocked on two other charges.
The Daily Sentinel reports ( ) District Attorney Pete Hautzinger dropped the charges against Firko on Friday, saying the prospects for a conviction were dim following the outcome of Lawyer’s trial.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
