ST. LOUIS - Viewers have asked why a St. Louis police officer doesn`t face stiffer criminal charges in the shooting death of his own colleague.
Defense attorney Paul E. Sims explained the burden of proof in the case of Officer Nathaniel Hendren.
Hendren faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting death of fallen officer Katlyn Alix. A judge recently said he had a problem calling the fatal shooting an accident and that`s led viewers to wonder why these charges aren`t stronger.
Katlyn Alix died January 25th after being shot in a duplex on Dover Place in South City. She was off duty there. Officer Nathaniel Hendren and his partner were on duty when they arrived during their shift to hang out. Though Sims says there may not be evidence of anger, the reported derelict behavior will make it easier to convince a jury the officer was reckless.
Sims said it`s tough to predict what a jury will do, but he said if prosecutors can prove 'recklessness' they should get an involuntary manslaughter conviction.
March 4th is the next scheduled court date.