The death of Philando Castile and the trial of Jeronimo Yanez

Portraits of Philando Castile and Jeronimo Yanez
Portraits of Philando Castile (left) and Jeronimo Yanez
Nancy Muellner for MPR News

In July 2016, St. Anthony, Minn., police officer Jeronimo Yanez fatally shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, a St. Paul suburb. The world watched the aftermath, live on Facebook. Yanez was charged in Castile's death. Jurors found him not guilty on all charges on June 16, 2017.

MPR News covered the trial on the air, online and in a podcast, 74 Seconds.

Day 9 of Yanez trial: 'I thought I was going to die': Yanez tells jurors; defense rests
St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, on trial for killing Philando Castile during a July traffic stop, took the stand Friday, telling jurors he was forced to shoot Castile because he was not complying with the officer's commands.
74 Seconds podcast: The jury deliberates
The defense and prosecution made their final arguments. The judge issued detailed instructions. Now the case is in the hands of the jury.
Yanez trial, day 10:  ‘He’s not lying,’ Yanez attorney tells court; case goes to jury
"You can't sit in these chairs and 20-20 vision officer Yanez," defense attorney Earl Gray told jurors. "He said he thought he was going to die. Why else would he do this?" Jurors began deliberating Monday. They'll resume Tuesday morning.
74 Seconds podcast: The prosecution rests, the defense begins
By the fourth day of testimony, the prosecution has rested, the defense has moved for acquittal and we expect to hear soon from Jeronimo Yanez himself.
The defense also called Jeronimo Yanez's boss, St. Anthony Police Chief Jon Mangseth, who testified to the officer's character. He said he chose him for the crime prevention team and that he's good with the community and sometimes acted as the department's voice at events. He testified that Yanez has no disciplinary problems in his record, and no citizen complaints that he knew of.
A morning of mostly technical testimony Wednesday in the manslaughter trial of St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez revealed how close the traffic stop came to having more casualties: Shots Yanez fired at Philando Castile nearly hit Castile's girlfriend and her 4-year-old daughter.
74 Seconds podcast: Yanez's partner testifies
On the second day of testimony, two of the witnesses closest to the shooting -- Diamond Reynolds and police officer Joseph Kauser -- take the stand.
Diamond Reynolds took the stand Monday, and continued her testimony in depth Tuesday. She and her 4-year-old daughter were in the car when St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez shot and killed Philando Castile.
74 Seconds podcast: The dashcam and Diamond Reynolds
In our latest podcast episode, the jury is seated, the defense and prosecution have made their opening statements, and the first of the witnesses take the stand.