Published January 13, 2015
Lawyers representing a former Phoenix police officer convicted of aggravated assault in September want a judge to throw out the verdict and order a new trial.
The jury failed to reach verdicts on charges of second-degree murder and animal cruelty but prosecutors have said they want him retried on those charges. Richard Chrisman was charged after fatally shooting 28-year-old Danny Rodriguez and his dog during an October 2010 domestic violence call.
The Arizona Republic reports (http://bit.ly/1cnEXM2 ) defense lawyers are accusing prosecutor Juan Martinez of misconduct and questioning the competency of the victim's mother. She testified at the trial.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Warren Granville is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday on the defense request. Chrisman is scheduled to be sentenced on the aggravated-assault count later this month.
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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
https://www.foxnews.com/us/lawyers-for-ex-phoenix-police-officer-want-his-assault-conviction-thrown-out