Chief: 'Totality of circumstances' key in decision to shoot
(AP) — A Minnesota police chief testifying at his officer's manslaughter trial in the death of a black motorist said Thursday that the shooting might have been justified even if the officer couldn't see the motorist's gun.
Castile's death in the traffic stop last July in a St. Paul suburb drew additional attention because his girlfriend streamed the aftermath on Facebook.
Yanez, in squad car video and audio, can be heard in the minutes after Castile's death saying variously that he didn't know where the gun was and that he told Castile to take his hand off it.
Defense attorney Paul Engh asked Mangseth whether it would be proper for an officer to shoot if a person had his hand on a gun and refused commands.