The jury is now deliberating following closing arguments Tuesday morning in the murder retrial of former Columbus Police Vice Officer Andrew Mitchell.
Assistant Franklin County Attorney Sheryl Pritchard said Monday that the evidence showed Donna Castleberry was attempting to flee to the backseat of the unmarked police car when Mitchell shot and killed her in August 2018. Pritchard argued Mitchell wasn't justified to use deadly force and the jurors should consider finding him guilty of either murder or voluntary manslaughter.
"(Mitchell) fired three shots blindly. He didn't even assess. He made up his mind he was gonna fire that gun well before he even turned to look at (Castleberry). He shot until his gun wouldn't fire anymore. That is not justification," Pritchard said.
Former Akron Police Officer Kevin Davis was questioned on Monday as a use-of-force expert by Pritchard and Mitchell's defense team. Davis was the second expert to testify in the trial after former FBI agent Urey Patrick testified last week.
Davis' testimony differed greatly from fellow use-of-force expert Patrick, who was called by the prosecution last week.
Patrick, a 24-year veteran with the F.B.I., testified Thursday that Mitchell was not justified in using deadly force against Castleberry.
A judge declared a mistrial in this same case last April after the jury remained deadlocked.
