GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A jury has returned a not guilty verdict in the trial of a man accused of gunning down a police officer who responded to a domestic violence call in western Pennsylvania.
KDKA-TV reports the jury Friday night found Ray Shetler Jr. not guilty of first- and third-degree murder charges. He’s been found guilty on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.
Shetler was accused of killing 54-year-old Officer Lloyd Reed who responded to Shetler’s New Florence home after the 33-year-old’s girlfriend called 911 in November 2015.
Witnesses testified that Reed ordered Shetler to drop a rifle and the officer opened fire when Shetler did not comply. Shetler returned fire, striking Reed outside the officer’s bulletproof vest.
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Shetler testified he didn’t know Reed was a police officer and acted in self-defense.
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Information from: KDKA-TV, http://www.kdka.com