Articles for Descano

Ex-police officer accused of killing shoplifting suspect goes on trial in Virginia
3 months ago

Ex-police officer accused of killing shoplifting suspect goes on trial in Virginia

Associated Press  

FAIRFAX, Va. — A trial for a former northern Virginia police officer began Tuesday in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man suspected of shoplifting a pair of sunglasses. Wesley Shifflett is charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a weapon in the killing of 37-year-old Timothy McCree Johnson near a busy shopping mall on Feb. 22, 2023. Shifflett …

Johnson Involuntary Manslaughter Fairfax County Descano Shoplifting Suspect Goes Suspect Goes Shooting Shifflett
2nd grand jury indicts officer for involuntary manslaughter in Virginia mall shooting
1 year, 2 months ago

2nd grand jury indicts officer for involuntary manslaughter in Virginia mall shooting

Associated Press  

McLEAN, Va. — A special grand jury in Virginia indicted a former police officer on Thursday for involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an unarmed shoplifting suspect outside a suburban shopping mall. When the initial grand jury declined to indict Shifflett, Descano issued a statement noting that Virginia law prevented him from being in the room when police officers …

Shooting Virginia Johnson Officer Officers Davis Involuntary Manslaughter
Reform-minded prosecutors in northern Virginia face primary challenges
1 year, 6 months ago

Reform-minded prosecutors in northern Virginia face primary challenges

Associated Press  

FAIRFAX, Va. — In the four years since progressive reform prosecutors swept into office across northern Virginia, they have faced constant criticism, ranging from conservatives who deride them as bleeding-heart “ Soros prosecutors ” to judges who claim they abuse their discretion. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner announced her resignation earlier this month amid pressure from Republicans, and in …

Judges Reform Virginia County Attorney Descano Northern Virginia
Second grand jury to probe fatal police shooting in Virginia
1 year, 7 months ago

Second grand jury to probe fatal police shooting in Virginia

Associated Press  

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — A prosecutor has requested a special grand jury investigate the fatal police shooting of an unarmed shoplifting suspect outside a northern Virginia shopping mall after an earlier grand jury refused to issue an indictment. Carl Crews, an attorney for the family of Timothy McCree Johnson, said he was informed Tuesday by Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve …

Case Jury Johnson Officers Special Grand Descano
Grand jury refuses to indict officer for fatal mall shooting
1 year, 8 months ago

Grand jury refuses to indict officer for fatal mall shooting

Associated Press  

FAIRFAX, Va. — A grand jury has refused to indict a former northern Virginia police officer after he fatally shot an unarmed shoplifting suspect outside a busy shopping mall in February. “We have to figure out a way to crush the blue wall of silence,” Crews said, advocating for Descano to try again with a different grand jury. Defense lawyer …

Shooting Jury Johnson Officer Grand Fairfax County Indict
Park Police officers indicted in shooting of unarmed driver
4 years, 2 months ago

Park Police officers indicted in shooting of unarmed driver

Associated Press  

FAIRFAX, Va. — Two U.S. Park Police officers were indicted Thursday on manslaughter charges in the 2017 shooting death of an unarmed motorist who led officers on a stop-and-go chase outside Washington, capping nearly three years of inquiry into a case that caused an outcry over concerns of excessive force. The charges against officers Alejandro Amaya and Lucas Vinyard come …

Car Charges Virginia Chase Involuntary Manslaughter Fairfax County Descano