Former Phoenix officer Richard Chrisman found guilty of aggravated assault
Sep 17, 2013, 10:20 AM | Updated: 10:58 am
PHOENIX — The jury has found former Phoenix police officer Richard Chrisman guilty of aggravated assault.
The charge carries a 5 to 15 year sentence.
Chrisman was accused in the fatal October 2010 shootings of Danny Rodriguez, 29, and his dog, a pit bull. He said he acted in self-defense.
Chrisman, a nine-year veteran of the force was later fired.
The jury deliberated for four days before arriving at a verdict. Chrisman faced second-degree murder, aggravated assault and animal cruelty charges.
A court official said Monday that the jury had a verdict on one charge but was hung on two others.
Chrisman’s partner at the time testified he saw no threat justifying the use of deadly force.
Defense lawyer Craig Mehrens told jurors the partner had fled the trailer home in fear and wasn’t able to see what prompted Chrisman to fire.
Prosecutor Juan Martinez contended the partner did the right thing after witnessing police wrongdoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
