Cop who fatally shot motorist in back cleared of all charges

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania police officer who shot an unarmed motorist in the back as he lay face down on the ground has been found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.

A jury acquitted Hummelstown Officer Lisa Mearkle on Thursday. She shot David Kassick after he fled from a traffic stop in February.

The 37-year-old veteran officer had testified that she believed Kassick had a gun and she feared for her safety.

Video from her stun gun camera shows Mearkle shocking 59-year-old Kassick before shooting him twice as he lay face down in the snow.

In the video, Kassick’s hands repeatedly disappeared underneath his body as Mearkle screamed at him to keep them where she could see them.

Prosecutors said the video shows the shooting wasn’t justified.