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Homicide

Trial starts for Charlotte officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in on-duty shooting

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Police officer Randall Kerrick, left, and defense attorney Michael Greene listen during opening arguments at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse in Charlotte. N.C., Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. Kerrick is facing voluntary manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. (Davie Hinshaw/The Charlotte Observer via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

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    Defense attorney, Michael Greene speaks during opening arguments of Randall Kerrick's trial at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. Kerrick is facing voluntary manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. (Davie Hinshaw/The Charlotte Observer via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Lawyers are expected to make opening statements as the trial begins for a white Charlotte police officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of an unarmed black man nearly two years ago.

Randall Kerrick faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted. Testimony is expected to begin Monday after nearly two weeks of jury selection following other high profile cases of police killings of black men.

Kerrick's lawyers say they'll show he was justified in shooting 24-year-old Jonathan Ferrell in September 2013 because the officer feared for his life.

Prosecutors say the shooting was criminal because Ferrell was just looking for help after crashing his car in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Authorities say a woman called 911 and reported a robber after Ferrell knocked on her door.