Little Rock Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Manslaughter in Police Killing of Unarmed 15 yr old Black Boy - Police Chief said Officer Lied

From [HERE] and [HERE] A Little Rock police officer who acknowledged fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. Lawyer Bill James said Tuesday that he entered the plea for Josh Hastings, who was charged last week. Authorities say Hastings shot Bobby Moore Jr. last month while responding to a suspicious person call at a Little Rock apartment complex. Police files show that Hastings has a history of disciplinary issues within his department.

Hastings claimed the car Moore was driving was heading toward him, prompting him to shoot, but the police chief said evidence shows the car was either moving in reverse or stopped several feet away from Hastings when he fired.

“I have reviewed this matter and have concluded that the incident did not occur in the manner represented by the officer and that the use of deadly force did not conform to departmental orders,” Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas said, adding that prosecutors agreed “the use of deadly force was not justified.”

The 26-year-old officer, who had been suspended six times in five years prior to the August shooting, was booked into jail Friday but later released on $15,000 bond. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.