Minnesota Officer Appears in Court in Fatal Shooting

St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez was charged this week with second-degree manslaughter

A Minnesota police officer who shot a black man during a traffic stop in a St. Paul suburb appeared in court on criminal charges Friday.

St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez was released on his own recognizance after the brief hearing Friday. Yanez did not enter a plea; he is expected to do so at a later date. His next hearing is set for Dec. 19.

Yanez was charged this week with second-degree manslaughter. Prosecutors say Yanez was not justified in using deadly force when he shot 32-year-old Philando Castile. The shooting happened after Castile told Yanez he was armed and licensed to carry.

Yanez's attorney has said he was reacting to the presence of a gun.

The July 6 shooting gained widespread attention when Castile's girlfriend broadcast its gruesome aftermath live on Facebook.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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