Resisting arrest is now ‘survival mode’. Update to this story.
Via Baltimore Sun:
Attorneys for the teenager accused of running over and killing Baltimore County police Officer Amy S. Caprio called for the public release of body camera footage from the incident, saying their client was in “survival mode” when he ran over the officer.
J. Wyndal Gordon and Warren Brown, two prominent Baltimore defense attorneys who are representing 16-year-old Dawnta Harris, said Thursday morning that the footage will help answer questions surrounding Caprio’s death, and ultimately help their client’s case. They called on Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger to release the video.
“I think it will put a lot of misconceptions to rest,” Brown said at a news conference at Gordon’s downtown office.
Harris is charged with first-degree murder; police say he struck Caprio with a stolen Jeep Wrangler Monday afternoon in Perry Hall. He is one of four teens charged as adults in her death.
Caprio, 29, had responded to a report of a suspcious vehicle and people walking around homes on Linwen Way, according to charging documents. She came upon Harris, who was waiting in the Jeep while three other boys burglarized a home, police said. Caprio pursued Harris as he drove to the end of the cul-de-sac, police said, and Caprio then got out of her patrol car, drew her gun and ordered Harris out.
Harris partially opened his door, but then shut it and drove at Caprio as she opened fire, according to police and prosecutors.[…]
Gordon said he wants to know why Caprio demonstrated “aggression” toward Harris and why she drew her weapon during what “amounted to a traffic stop.” Gordon said his client couldn’t see where he was going when he ducked as Caprio fired her gun, and he hit the gas.
“If someone’s got bullets whizzing by your head, you’re in survival mode, you’re trying to survive,” Gordon said. “This was not an intentional killing. … This was an accident.”
He said both Caprio and Harris had to make split-second decisions.
“He ducked and he closed his eyes and the car started moving forward, and the only reason you duck is because bullets are coming towards you,” Gordon said.