Ex-cop charged in teen’s death asks judge for restraining order against boy’s family
By FT Norton
StarNews Staff
BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (StarNews) — A former Southport police officer charged in the shooting death of a schizophrenic teen in 2014 filed a motion last week alleging the victim’s stepfather threatened him March 14 at a Southport pharmacy. Bryon Vassey asked the court to prevent the family of Keith Vidal from interfering with his rights to a fair trial and requested the judge issue a restraining order to protect himself, his family and his attorneys.
On Thursday — with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and Boiling Spring Lakes Police on hand to provide protection — Vassey, 46, and his defense team visited the home of victim Keith Vidal, 18. The visit was so Vassey could prepare for his defense when the involuntary manslaughter case against him goes to trial April 18. His first attempt to visit the home was thwarted in February after the family said they wouldn’t allow Vassey inside, and Vidal’s sister posted a message on Facebook stating, “I need 250 people willing to stand in the yard and line the public road the Wilseys live on to make it as uncomfortable for that murderer as possible.” The judge then issued an order allowing Vassey to visit.
On Jan. 5, 2014, Vassey was one of three officers who went to the family’s President Drive home on a request for help with an unruly person. Moments after Vassey arrived and as Vidal — in possession of a 6-inch long metal Kobalt pick, as described by the defense — struggled with two other officers, Vassey shot him, officials said. The family said Vidal, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was gunned down for no reason. Vidal’s father, Mark Wilsey, on Thursday night disputed the defense description of the object his son held, saying instead it was a Phillips head screwdriver no more than 3 inches long. Vassey claims he was protecting his fellow officers. Following an NC State Bureau of Investigation probe, Vassey was charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Leave a Reply