The judge in Blendon Township Police Officer Connor Grubb's murder trial dismissed four charges against Grubb in the case where he fatally shot Ta'Kiya Young and her unborn child in August 2023.
Judge David Young, who is unrelated to Ta'Kiya Young, made the ruling after testimony in Grubb's trial concluded Tuesday. Judge Young sided with the defense, who asked that Grubb be acquitted of the charges related to the unborn child. Those four charges were two for felonious assault and two for murder.
Young was fatally shot by Grubb at a Sunbury Road Kroger store. Young was accused of shoplifting and was in her car when Grubb shot her.
Six charges still stand against Grubb. Two are for murder, two are for felonious assault and two are for involuntary manslaughter.
The trial has revolved around whether Grubb was justified for shooting Young. In body camera footage, Young accelerated her car forward slowly away from Grubb appearing to push him.
Grubb placed himself in front of Young's vehicle as another officer stood at her driver's side window, ordering her to get out of the car.
Reports from the Franklin County Coroner estimate Young was about seven months pregnant at the time.
Defense attorney Kaitlyn Stephens argued evidence presented at the trial showed Grubb and the other officer at the scene that day, Sgt. Erik Moynihan, didn't know Young was pregnant. Grubb's other attorney, Mark Collins, unsuccessfully argued for Grubb to be fully acquitted.
Special Prosecutor Erin Claypoole, of Montgomery County, argued a concept called transfer of intent applied to this case. This is a legal doctrine that states a defendant's intent to harm one person is legally transferred to a different, unintended victim.
The defense and prosecution are expected to begin closing arguments on Tuesday afternoon after which the jury may begin deliberating.
