On the evening of May 16, 2010, the Detroit Police Departments Special Response Team (SRT) prepared for a surprise raid to arrest a wanted man. Police said Weekley came into contact with Aiyana?s grandmother, Mertilla Jones, when they busted through the door in the early hours of Sunday morning and his weapon accidentally fired. He said Detroit police are trained to push away anyone who tries to grab an officers gun or to move the weapon in a J shape to keep control of it. It is not clear what his role in the nonfatal shooting was, but Godbee said he was cleared and it was determined that he acted appropriately. The story of Aiyana Stanley-Jones' death really starts with Je'Rean Blake, a 17-year-old who was killed less than two days earlier. The death of Aiyana, who was black, has since been a rallying point for Detroit activists, who say the girl has not received justice. It said: No matter the outcome of any jury's decision, I have already been devastated and my life has been ruined irreparably by the events that occurred on May 16, 2010. Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. This button displays the currently selected search type. Associated Press He was swinging his weapon to point toward the couch, Weekley testified, when Aiyana's grandmother, Mertilla Jones -- who had been sleeping on the couch with the girl -- smacked his weapon, an MP5 submachine gun, with her hand, causing him to pull the trigger. According to ABC local afiliate WXYZ, evidence presented in court Thursday showed that neither Jones' fingerprints nor DNA were found on the officer's gun. "I'm out here to fight any way for the other Aiyanas that's to come," she said, "because it ain't stop at just my grandbaby.". His lawyer later described it as a tragic accident. Aiyana Mo'Nay Stanley-Jones (July 20, 2002 - May 16, 2010) was a seven-year-old African-American girl from Detroit 's East Side who was shot in the neck and killed by police officer Joseph Weekley during a raid conducted by the Detroit Police Department's Special Response Team targeting a suspect in the apartment a . Weekley has said that the girl's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, who had also been asleep on the couch when police arrived, came up to him and grabbed his gun, causing him to shoot. On the night of the shooting on May 16, 2010, police and the Special Response Team went to an address in Detroit's east side to carry out a search for a murder suspect. We hope this resolution will provide everyone involved a measure of closure," Garcia said in a statement. City attorney Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones on Thursday, April 4, 2019 four days before a civil trial was to begin. This website does not provide legal advice. neither Jones' fingerprints nor DNA were found on the officer's gun. JOSEPH WEEKLEY, INC. JOSEPH WEEKLEY, INC. is a California Stock Corporation - Ca - General filed on August 12, 2003. Last year the city settled with Aiyana's family for $8.25 million. The Wayne County prosecutor's office said in a statement that on Friday Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charge, granting a motion submitted by Weekley's attorney, Steve Fishman. "The police are not just going in looking to hurt people; that's not the case at all. "Aiyana's death was a tragic loss for her family and has been a heavy burden on our community. Fishman attempted to discredit her while requesting dismissal of the manslaughter charge. An anonymous Detroit official told Mother Jones in 2010 that using the grenade was "not protocol.". Aiyana's parents, Charles Jones and Dominika Stanley, sued Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley on behalf of their daughter's estate. "I would only pray that [the prosecutor] would only use the same zeal he used on my client, Charles Jones, in trying to get a conviction in [Weekley's] case," Weiss told HuffPost this week. After he was shot, Few lost consciousness and didn't know his son died until he woke up in a hospital six days later the day of Jeremy's funeral. The shield seemed unnecessary, Weekley testified. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. The other cop who shot and killed Jeremy that night has yet to go to trial. During a raid targeting the apartment on the floor above Stanley-Jones, Officer Joseph Weekley of a SWAT-like team, fired a hand grenade into Stanley-Jones' unit, burning her blanket. The jurors, asked that their names not be made public as they explained what happened over four days of deliberations. The afternoon of May 14, Je'Rean had just bought an orange juice at a liquor store when he had a confrontation with a man named Chauncey Owens, 38. , updated Jones told a different story at Weekley's trial last year. Charges Dismissed Against Joseph Weekley, Cop Who Fatally Shot Sleeping 7-Year-Old Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley was spared a felony conviction on Tuesday over the killing of a 7-year-old girl after a jury deadlocked and a mistrial was declared, according to Detroit Free Press. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The film. It was a little after midnight when the Detroit Police Special Response Team, a unit similar to a SWAT team, descended on the Stanely-Jones residence in search of murder suspect Chauncey Owens, who lived upstairs. Find the perfect carolina edgecombe stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. She was in her pajamas. Unfortunately for the family of little Aiyana, justice failed them. As he was trained, Weekley testified his finger was outside the trigger guard when he entered the home carrying a large ballistics shield that he dropped almost immediately after entering the home. The law is a gray area at best. Wake up to the day's most important news. During the last vote, the panel was split 7 to 5, with seven voting not guilty and five saying Weekley was guilty of the charge. Report your Judge, Lawyer or Government Office, Report your Judge, Attorney & Public Official Today. DPD Spokesman John Roach said the Detroit Police Department SWAT team member is 34-year-old officer Joseph Weekley. Nov. 15Trust deeds This list includes trust deeds (to secure repayment of a loan) of $750,000 or more. As the Free Thought Project has previously reported, this entire scenario could've been over a relationship. Police disputed the Westbrooks' version of events, according to the Free Press, but the case was settled late in 2010, some time after Aiyana's death. City attorney Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones on Thursday, April 4, 2019 four days before a civil trial was to begin. A pretrial conference to schedule a new set of hearings and a near jury selection is set for 9am July 25. Nathan Weekley is the brother of Joseph Weekley, a former SWAT officer for the Detroit police force, who was reassigned after fatally shooting 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a May. We believe today's settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana's family and our responsibility for the city's finances. Daily Mail Reporter, 2010 raid was being filmed for reality TV show 'The First 48 Hours', Body found shot dead near home of New England Patriots tight end identified as another football player in semi-professional league, Parents beware: Children could be playing a Simpsons game that has 'hidden anti-gun messages' and 'mocks NRA', Would you want to live next door to this man? Officers were briefed that theyd be entering a possible dope den, in which the suspect might be armed and might even possess dangerous dogs.. The prosecution and defense have offered contradictory depictions of the events leading up to Stanley-Jones' death. Detroit police officer who killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer facing charges. Atkins, Virginia Tack welded trailer frames, wired up refrigeration units and ran all the electrical components for each trailer. Weekley testified the grandmother struck his weapon and caused him. "Innocent people do not run from the police. Watch: Who Is The Officer Involved In Girl's Shooting? When Weekley stepped inside, he fired a single shot that went through Stanley-Jones' head. Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. A judge has dropped the felony charge leveled against Joseph Weekley, the Detroit police officer who in 2010 shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones to death. the group of 12 was almost split down the middle over whether to acquit or convict Weekley on a misdemeanor charge of careless, reckless or negligent use of a firearm causing death. Weekley's colleagues gave him the nickname "The Brain," according to The Detroit News, because he was always thinking. Officer Joseph Weekley says the victim's grandmother grabbed his weapon during a midnight raid. He says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. Police staged a so-called safety briefing shortly before the raid; undoubtedly focusing on their own safety rather than the safety of unknown innocents behind the doors they were about to kick in. On May 16, 2010, plaintiff's decedent Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7, was inside her Detroit home when she was shot in the head. Mertilla Jones, who witnessed Detroit police officer Joe Weekley shoot her granddaughter Aiyana in May 2010, speaks at Grand Circus Park on July 14, 2013 in Detroit. Lexipol. The city of Detroit has reached an $8.25 million settlement with the family of Stanley-Jones, who was accidentally killed by Weekley during a 2010 raid. DragonEye Tech: Leaders in LIDAR Speed Measurement, The family was awarded $8.25 million for the accidental death of the 7-year-old during a raid. Yahoo News Yahoo News . Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. Whatever this website says about the law is presented in the context of how we or others perceive the applicability of the law to a set of circumstances if one of us (or some other author) was in the circumstances under the conditions discussed. Officer Joseph Weekley, a member of the Detroit Police Special Response Team, was indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge after a nearly yearlong Michigan State Police investigation into . Weekley told jurors that he accidentally pulled the trigger during a struggle with the girl's grandmother, but Mertilla Jones denied interfering with the gun. During a late night police raid to apprehend a murder suspect, Defendant Officer Joseph Weekley somehow discharged his firearm, fatally wounding seven-year-old Aiyana Jones. (John T. Greilick/Detroit News via AP, File), FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2014, file photo, Dominika Stanley wipes away tears after Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway declares a mistrial after a jury said they cannot reach a verdict in a criminal trial against Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley, accused of shooting her daughter Aiyana Stanley-Jones, at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, in Detroit. As a medical device rep, it's common knowledge that we have a lot of "window time". Defendant Joseph Weekely, right, and A&E producer Allison Howard, who was at the raid, sit in. Weekley told jurors: I just feel devastated and depressed. Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. Here's the video A&E's cameras captured at the Stanley-Jones residence: The episode that would have featured footage from that night ultimately never aired. I understand there is a certain part of the public that is crying foul on this. Joseph Weekley charged with involuntary manslaughter in death of Aiyana Jones after he was 'grossly negligent' with handling gun during a raid Claims pulled gun trigger accidentally during. Coward Cop breaks into the wrong home, blames grandmother for having his finger on the trigger and shooting their 7 year old child in the head Aiyana Stanley-Jones was sleeping in her home on the east side of Detroit on the night of May 16, 2010, when officers barged into the house. Rep. John Conyers has also asked the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the girl's shooting death. Officer Weekley faced his first trial in June 2013. All rights reserved (About Us). At the time, Weekley said, he didn't even realize he had fired his gun, thinking the shot had been fired by someone else. Game credits for World of WarCraft: Battle for Azeroth (Windows) Last week, she was escorted from the courtroom after an emotional outburst directed at Weekley during her testimony. How A Police Officer Shot A Sleeping 7-Year-Old To Death, the militarization of U.S. law enforcement, charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, could have affected how the police executed their search warrant, prosecutors allege that Owens told Je'Rean, gave Owens the gun he used to kill Je'Rean, serving a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years, disputed the Westbrooks' version of events, cleared of wrongdoing in a non-fatal shooting in 2009. He told The Huffington Post that he questioned the motives of officials who "zealously" went after the father of a girl shot by a cop, describing the prosecution's case as extremely thin. Associated Press, FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2014, file photo, Dominika Stanley wipes away tears after Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway declares a mistrial after a jury said they cannot reach a verdict in a criminal trial against Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley, accused of shooting her daughter Aiyana Stanley-Jones, at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, in Detroit. (Kathleen Galligan/Detroit Free Press via AP, File) But supporters of the seven-year-old victim, Aiyana Jones, said they believe the jury was unable to reach a decision due to race. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, He says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. (Kathleen Galligan/Detroit Free Press via AP, File), Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. The officers also claimed Few had a weapon, that was also a lie. She said she'd initially been asleep on the couch with Aiyana, but that she was on the floor when Weekley shot his weapon, not close enough to touch the gun. (CBS/AP) DETROIT - Joseph Weekley, a Detroit police officer charged in the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones, testified Thursday that he still feels "devastated and depressed". According to attorneys for the Jones family, video evidence shows that at that point, Officer Joseph Weekley, a regular guest on reality television, shot inside the home, killing Aiyana. Associated Press. He was arrested in a separate upstairs unit of the multi-family house. Police neglected to account for or flatly disregarded the safety of any potential children that might be present. (Dkt. He went in there to protect the citizens of Detroit from a man wanted for murder, Diaz said. DPD Spokesman John Roach said the Detroit Police Department SWAT team member is 34-year-old officer Joseph Weekley. Weiss is seeking a new trial for Jones, who is currently serving a prison sentence of 40 to 60 years. and Under cross-examination Monday, Jones said the officers were negligent. Local 4 obtained a video of Weekley in which he worked to help organize a charitable event called SWAT For Tots. Copyright 2023 He claims he accidentally pulled the trigger when Aiyanas grandmother, Mertilla Jones, grabbed his gun. However, the Clerk of Court, the District Attorneys Office, Marksville Police Department, and City Court noted that they did not have any warrants against him. All rights reserved. The jury sent a note to Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway saying little progress had been made during the three days of deliberations over the fate of Officer Joseph Weekley, who faced charges of felony . Charges officially dismissed against officer Joseph Weekley WXYZ 7 Action News is metro Detroit's leading source for breaking news, weather warnings, award-w. Two days later, the decedent's father filed law suits in both the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Wayne County . Dominika Stanley, left, the mother of Aiyana Jones, seven, sits next to Aiyanas father Charles Jones in Southfield, Michigan in 2010. Officer Joseph Weekley's first trial ended in a hung jury, and a judge eventually dismissed the charges against him after a second trial in 2014. Sleeping 7-year-old girl shot in head during no-knock police raid on wrong home According to the Advocate,Megan Dixon, Fews fiance at the time, said Few had a previous run-in with Greenhouse. By There were no threats. Owens pleaded guilty in April 2011 to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 28 years in prison for Blake's slaying. Ill never be the same, no.. Meet Killer CopOfficer Joseph Weekly Detroit Michigan Police Department, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley faces felony conviction. Weekley's fingerprints and DNA were also not found on the gun. DETROIT -- The city of Detroit reached an $8.25 million settlement Thursday with the family of a 7-year-old girl accidentally killed by a police officer during a 2010 raid. When Weekley returned to the family room, he watched Jones straddling her dying granddaughter, speechless and seemingly "in shock." The jury could have convicted Weekley of involuntary manslaughter, a felony, or reckless discharge of a firearm, a misdemeanor. When Detroiters rallied last year for Trayvon Martin, the unarmed Florida teen killed by a neighborhood watchman in 2012, Mertilla Jones addressed the crowd. A protester holds a sign referencing Aiyana Stanley-Jones at a rally for Trayvon Martin in Detroit on July 14, 2013. All rights reserved. Weekley was a member of Detroits Special Response Team, which was sent to an east side neighbourhood to capture a suspect in the killing of a teenager outside a convenience store. Settlement is fair because it balances the needs of Aiyana 's family and our responsibility for the city settled Aiyana... Anonymous Detroit official told Mother Jones in 2010 that using the grenade was `` protocol... 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