Inquest split over fatal shooting of Native man by a police officer

Friday, January 21, 2011  

An inquest into the shooting of John T. Williams by a Seattle, Washington, police officer returned a mixed verdict on Thursday.

Four out of eight jurors found that Williams, who was a member of the Dididaht First Nation of British Columbia, was not a threat to officer Ian Birk. Four jurors also said Williams wasn't given sufficient time to put down a wood carving knife he was carrying -- Birk waited just four seconds to open fire on August 30, 2010.

Although the verdict was not unanimous, an attorney for the Williams family reacted favorably. Most inquests uphold the actions of law enforcement.

"I don't think there has ever been a verdict like this in a King County or Seattle inquest," Tim Ford said in response, The Seattle Times reported. "I think this is as strong a statement as you could expect. I think they've spoken really clearly."

The verdict does not carry legal force but the results could be taken into account if the county prosecutor decides to press charges against Birk.

Get the Story:
Inquest jurors split over Seattle police shooting (The Seattle Times 1/21)
Four of eight jurors: Williams posed no threat (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 1/20)
Jurors to resume deliberations Thursday in officer's fatal shooting of carver (The Seattle Times 1/20)

Related Stories:
Police officer questioned over fatal shooting of Native woodcarver (1/13)
Inquest begins into officer's fatal shooting of Native wood carver (1/11)
Judge tells police to release video from Native man's shooting (12/17)
Officer waited four seconds before shooting Native wood carver (11/16)
Knife carried by Native wood carver was found in closed position (11/10)
Reports: Fatal shooting of Native woodcarver ruled not justified (10/15)
County orders inquest of fatal shooting of Native woodcarver (10/12)
Autopsy: Native carver was shot four times in his side by officer (10/6)
Board in Washington opens probe into shooting of Native man (10/4)
Justice Department monitors probe into shooting of Native man (9/21)
Mayor in Seattle calls officer shooting of Native man an 'injustice' (9/17)
Police department makes changes after First Nations man's death (9/16)
Editorial: Officer shooting of Native man threatens public's trust (9/10)
Police promise better outreach after fatal shooting of Native man (9/9)
Native leaders seek inquiry of police shooting of traditional carver (9/8)
Gyasi Ross: What are we doing about the shooting of Native man? (9/3)
First Nations in mourning after fatal shooting of traditional carver (9/3)
First Nations man shot and killed by officer was deaf in one ear (9/2)
First Nations man shot and killed by police officer in Washington (9/1)