CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Defense attorneys say that a Charlotte police officer was justified in shooting an unarmed man who apparently was seeking help when he approached officers after a car crash.
Lawyers representing Officer Randall Kerrick were in court Tuesday for a first appearance on the charge of voluntary manslaughter. Kerrick did not attend the hearing. The judge scheduled an Oct. 7 probable cause hearing for Kerrick.
After the hearing, defense attorney Michael Greene said of Kerrick: “His actions were justified on the night in question.”
He declined to take questions.
Authorities say Kerrick shot Jonathan A. Ferrell 10 times early Saturday after the 24-year-old was in a single-car wreck and sought help at a nearby house. The homeowner called 911.
Police say that Ferrell advanced on officers and wasn’t stopped by a Taser.
