Bronx Judge Dismisses Charges in ’12 Killing by cop; New Indictment Is Possible

A Bronx judge dismissed manslaughter charges against a New York City cop officer who shot and killed an unarmed 18-year-old in his family’s home under highly questionable circumstances in 2012. Judge Steven Barrett of State Supreme Court, found that the prosecution had given improper instructions to the grand jury that indicted the cop, Richard Haste. The Bronx district attorney’s office may appeal or try to bring new charges. The judge ruled the jurors were not allowed to adequately consider evidence that the cop had been warned before the shooting that the teenager, Ramarley Graham, might be armed. “With not great pleasure,” Justice Barrett said, “I’m obliged in this case to dismiss the charges.”