Police

Detroit police officer who fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Jones will not face re-trial

After two hung juries, the Detroit police officer charged in the death of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones will not be tried again.

Published

12 years ago

January 30, 2015

UVM Staff

Aiyana Jones

After two hung juries, the Detroit police officer charged in the death of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones will not be tried again.

Detroit Police officer avoids new trial

Detroit press reports:
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday that it will move to dismiss the case against Detroit Police officer Joseph Weekley on Friday morning.

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“Today we personally informed the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones that we have made a decision that we would not be going to trial for a third time,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.

Aiyana’s mother, Dominika Stanley, could not be reached for comment.

Weekley, 38, faces a misdemeanor charge of careless discharge of a firearm causing death after a round from his gun struck the girl in the head during a raid for a murder suspect in May 2010.

During his second trial, Wayne County Circuit Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway dismissed the felony charge of involuntary manslaughter against Weekley, citing a lack of evidence.

Worthy called it “unfortunate” that Hathaway granted a directed verdict dismissing the felony charge and said that decision can’t be appealed.

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Related Topics:Aiyana Jones Detroit Detroit Police Michigan

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UVM Staff

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.