Did Another Prosecutor Undermine Their Own Grand Jury to Uphold Cop Murder? Charges Dropped Against Tucson Cop who Shot a White Man in the Back 9X as He Fled in a Wheelchair

From [HERE] A second grand jury in Pima County, Arizona, has decided not to recommend charges of manslaughter against a former Tucson cop who shot a wheelchair-bound suspect nine times in a mall parking lot, killing him. 

Ryan Remington, 32, shot Richard Lee Richards, 61, in the parking lot of a mall in the city while off duty. Richards pulled a knife on a Walmart employee as he was leaving the store with a stolen tool box on November 30, 2021.

Richards was headed to a Lowe's across the parking lot when Remington, who was working security for Walmart at the time, ordered Richards to drop the knife and not to enter another store. 

The suspect ignored the officer before Remington opened fire, causing Richards to fall out of his scooter and die. 

The Pima County Superior Court jury on Wednesday came back with a no bill vote on charging Remington. Despite the grand jury's decision, the state could still opt to bring charges. 

Police bodycam video shows the officer pursuing the suspect and yelling, “Do not go into the store, sir,” as Richards continued to the entrance of a Lowe’s Home Improvement store. The officer fired nine shots and hit the man in the back and side causing Mr. Richards to hunch over and fall in front of a display of pink and red flowers.

A store surveillance video shows Officer Remington placing handcuffs on a motionless Mr. Richards.

Defense attorneys alleged state prosecutors presented misleading statements to the first grand jury. Pima County Superior Court Judge Danelle Liwski agreed but believed they did not do it deliberately. 

Liwski last month granted the defense request to remand the case to a grand jury again.  

In a statement, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said 'victim notification is our focus and top priority at this time, as the matter continues under our review.'

Remington was fired in January 2022 for what police determined was excessive use of force.

A civil rights lawsuit filed by Richards’ family against Remington and the City of Tucson remains tied up in federal court. 

During the theft, Richards allegedly flashed a knife at the store employee who asked for a receipt for the product.

'Here's your receipt,' Richard reportedly told the clerk, showing the weapon. He apparently flashed the weapon and put it away.

'He's got a knife in his other hand,' someone can be heard on the bodycam video as Richards wheels up to the entrance of the big box store.

Seconds later Remington can be seen unloading his weapon on the shoplifter.