Update (October 4):
ALEXANDER, AR – A jury is now deliberating in the manslaughter trial of a former Alexander police officer.
Nancy Cummings is accused in the September 2012 shooting death of Carleton Wallace that happened while she was working patrol.
We’ll have more as we learn new information from the courtroom.
Original story (October 3):
SALINE COUNTY, AR — The trial of a former Alexander police officer charged with manslaughter began Thursday.
After a long day of testimony, family members on both sides of the case left the Saline County courtroom.
The prosecution rested today but wouldn’t comment.
Defense attorney Bill James says he’s ready to present his client’s side on Friday.
“She was just doing her job, and it happened,” he said. “It was unfortunate, but she’s not guilty of anything.”
Last year, officer Nancy Cummings says she saw 30-year-old Carleton Wallace walking along a road in Alexander with a gun tucked into his waistband.
She says he tossed the weapon into a wooded area.
But while searching him, she says her gun went off accidentally killing Wallace.
“It’s kind of a dark cloud hanging over her head,” James said.
Today, experts testified on Cummings training and her weapon.
Some said it would have been impossible for Cumming’s gun to go off without her pulling the trigger.
The prosecution wants to prove she acted negligent and should be found guilty of manslaughter.
James says that simply isn’t the case.
“She didn’t do everything perfectly, but I think we had witnesses and officers testify you don’t always do things perfectly, but that doesn’t always mean you’re guilty of a crime,” James said.
Eyewitnesses including Cumming’s daughter, who was in the patrol car doing a ride-along at the time of the shooting, also testified in court today.
The trial continues Friday morning at 8:30.
If you would like to follow Melissa Schroeder’s reports on Facebook, you can click here and like her page.
ALEXANDER, AR – A jury is now deliberating in the manslaughter trial of a former Alexander police officer.
Nancy Cummings is accused in the September 2012 shooting death of Carleton Wallace that happened while she was working patrol.
We’ll have more as we learn new information from the courtroom.
Original story (October 3):
SALINE COUNTY, AR — The trial of a former Alexander police officer charged with manslaughter began Thursday.
After a long day of testimony, family members on both sides of the case left the Saline County courtroom.
The prosecution rested today but wouldn’t comment.
Defense attorney Bill James says he’s ready to present his client’s side on Friday.
“She was just doing her job, and it happened,” he said. “It was unfortunate, but she’s not guilty of anything.”
Last year, officer Nancy Cummings says she saw 30-year-old Carleton Wallace walking along a road in Alexander with a gun tucked into his waistband.
She says he tossed the weapon into a wooded area.
But while searching him, she says her gun went off accidentally killing Wallace.
“It’s kind of a dark cloud hanging over her head,” James said.
Today, experts testified on Cummings training and her weapon.
Some said it would have been impossible for Cumming’s gun to go off without her pulling the trigger.
The prosecution wants to prove she acted negligent and should be found guilty of manslaughter.
James says that simply isn’t the case.
“She didn’t do everything perfectly, but I think we had witnesses and officers testify you don’t always do things perfectly, but that doesn’t always mean you’re guilty of a crime,” James said.
Eyewitnesses including Cumming’s daughter, who was in the patrol car doing a ride-along at the time of the shooting, also testified in court today.
The trial continues Friday morning at 8:30.
If you would like to follow Melissa Schroeder’s reports on Facebook, you can click here and like her page.
