Closing arguments set for Thursday in trial of former cop accused of killing teen
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Closing arguments are scheduled for tomorrow in the case of a former Southport police officer charged with killing a mentally ill teen.
Bryon Vassey is charged with manslaughter in the Jan. 5, 2014, shooting death of Keith Vidal, 18. Vassey was one of three officers who responded to Vidal’s family’s home in Boiling Spring Lakes after the schizophrenic teen’s family had called for help with him.
Closing arguments had been expected to begin today, but the judge and attorneys spent the day discussing special instructions for charges the judge will use as he considers a verdict in the bench trial.
Wednesday morning, the state and the defense continued the charge conference. The attorneys spent all morning arguing about the wording of the special instructions for the judge. These are the instructions the judge will follow when determining his verdict.
The defense argued multiple times about special rules in law enforcement use of force cases. The defense cited cases which stand for those propositions. The defense said a “use of force standard” from other cases should be used in Vassey’s case.
The state wants to take the “could have reasonably believed” wording out of the special instructions. The defense said that is part of the law in cases across North Carolina. The judge responded by saying he does not make the law and would address that later. The state could not cite other cases where this wording has been taken out.
The defense wants the screwdriver or pick to be considered a deadly weapon in the special instructions. The state says the teen was holding a screwdriver and that is all. The defense also said there was testimony that it was a pick and not a screwdriver.
The judge plans to continue these arguments Wednesday afternoon. He said closing arguments most likely will not happen Wednesday. He said he does not like to split up closing arguments on different days.
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