Todd Davis

Officer's Fatal Shooting of Teen to Go to Grand Jury

Travis County prosecutors said they plan to present evidence in the fatal shooting of an unarmed, naked 17-year-old by an Austin police officer to a grand jury for possible criminal charges.

District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg said Wednesday that evidence in the death of David Joseph will be presented the week of May 2.

Police have said Joseph was shot and killed Feb. 8 by former Officer Geoffrey Freeman when the teen refused orders to stop and charged at Freeman.

Freeman initially responded to reports of one person chasing another at an Austin apartment complex, resumed patrol then came upon Joseph.

Joseph was black, as is Freeman, who was fired in March by Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo. Acevedo said Freeman violated department policy in the shooting.

Freeman's lawyers have said he feared for his life.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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