Listen: A conversation with Yanez defense attorney Tom Kelly
Tom Kelly, one of the defense attorneys who represented St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, discussed the trial which led to Yanez's acquittal on all charges related to the shooting death of Philando Castile.
Kelly said the squad car video released today will show how Yanez tried to restrain Philando Castile before shooting him.
A jury last week acquitted Yanez on manslaughter and weapons charges for fatally shooting Castile during a traffic stop last summer.
Kelly said Yanez reacted to the threat of Castile's gun.
Grow the Future of Public Media
MPR News is supported by Members. Gifts from individuals power everything you find here. Make a gift of any amount today to become a Member!
"The officers are very well aware that it takes less than a half a second for somebody to shoot through the window of a car," he said.
In response to protests following the acquittal, Kelly said that the conversation shouldn't be around laws that give deference to police in these situations. It should be about training.
"If people are unhappy about the training that officers receive and the training that they are given to use force, then a dialogue should be had about that," said Kelly.
Prosecutors said Castile wasn't a threat, and Yanez acted recklessly by not telling Castile to stop or freeze before firing seven rounds.
The Castile family plans to file a civil suit.
To hear the entire conversation with Kelly use the audio player above.