The Latest: Minnesota officer in court in fatal shooting

Published November 18, 2016

The Latest on court appearance for Minnesota police officer charged in black motorist's fatal shooting (all times local):

2 p.m.

A Minnesota police officer has appeared in court on charges stemming from the shooting death of a black man during a traffic stop in a St. Paul suburb this summer.

St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez was released on his own recognizance after the brief hearing Friday. Yanez did not enter a plea. He is expected to enter a plea at a later date. His next hearing is set for Dec. 19.

Yanez was charged this week with second-degree manslaughter in the July death of 32-year-old Philando Castile. Members of Castile's family attended the hearing as did supporters of Yanez.

Nakia Wilson of St. Paul is a cousin of Castile's. She says she went to court to see the face of the person who killed her cousin.

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6:45 a.m.

A Minnesota police officer who shot a black man during a traffic stop in a St. Paul suburb is expected to appear in court on criminal charges.

St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez was charged this week with second-degree manslaughter. Prosecutors say Yanez was not justified in using deadly force when he shot 32-year-old Philando Castile. The shooting happened after Castile told Yanez he was armed and licensed to carry.

Yanez's attorney has said he was reacting to the presence of a gun.

Yanez is to make his initial court appearance Friday afternoon. These hearings are typically procedural and Yanez will not be expected to enter a plea until a later date.

The July 6 shooting gained widespread attention when Castile's girlfriend broadcast its gruesome aftermath live on Facebook.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/the-latest-minnesota-officer-in-court-in-fatal-shooting