Jurors In Detroit Cop Manslaughter Trial See Stun Grenade Demo
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of a Detroit police officer watched a demonstration of a stun grenade like the one used during a raid that turned fatal.
The demonstration was done away from the Wayne County courthouse on Wednesday. The grenade emitted a loud pop, smoke and a bright light. Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway barred reporters from disclosing the location of the demonstration.
A stun grenade was used by Detroit police in 2010 as they tried to capture a murder suspect in a house. Seconds later, 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones was fatally shot.
Officer Joseph Weekley is charged with her death. He says he accidentally pulled the trigger when Aiyana's grandmother grabbed his submachine gun. The grandmother denies she touched the gun, and another officer testified Tuesday that there was no struggle.
Before jurors were transported for the demonstration, they heard some graphic testimony from an evidence technician who described blood spatter and other stains found on a police officer's shield that was left at the scene.
Prosecutors are expected to wrap up their case Thursday.
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