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Former St. Louis Officer Declared Not Guilty Over 2011 Shooting

Jason Stockley, a former St. Louis police officer, shot and killed Anthony Lamar Smith following a car chase in 2011.

By: Matt Picht

Posted at 10:14 AM, Sep 15, 2017

and last updated 2017-09-15 10:14:16-04

Former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley has been found not guilty of a fatal 2011 shooting.

Stockley shot and killed Anthony Lamar Smith in December 2011 following a high-speed car chase. Prosecutors pointed to audio of Stockley threatening to kill Smith during the chase and alleged the former officer planted a gun in Smith's car to justify his actions.

Deliberations wrapped up Aug. 9; since Stockley waived his right to a jury, his fate was ultimately decided by the presiding judge.

Stockley was the first St. Louis officer in nearly 20 years to be charged with murder over an on-duty shooting. Activists vowed mass disruption like the sort seen during the Ferguson, Missouri, protests if Stockley wasn't handed a guilty verdict.