Ex-officer rests case in St. Louis murder trial

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(AP) – The defense has rested in the trial of a white former St.
Louis police officer accused of murder in the 2011 shooting death of a black
man.Jason Stockley testified on his behalf Tuesday, saying he saw a firearm in
Anthony Lamar Smith’s hand before a chase that preceded the gunfire that killed
Smith. That counters prosecutors’ claims that Stockley planted a gun in Smith’s
car after shooting him.Stockley is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

The case will be decided by a judge. It was not immediately clear when
attorneys for both sides might give closing arguments.

Stockley testified he and his partner witnessed what they thought was a drug
transaction involving 24-year-old Smith, who Stockley says then used his car to
twice strike the police vehicle.

Stockley says he saw Smith holding a silver revolver as the man sped away.
After a chase, Stockley repeatedly shot Smith.

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