Watch CBS News

Man Acquitted After Police Shooting Near His Home

PASADENA, Md. (AP) -- A Pasadena man initially accused of drunkenly firing at police officers near his home has been acquitted by an Anne Arundel County judge.

The Capital reports that 39-year-old John Christopher Delich was found not guilty on Tuesday of reckless endangerment and related gun charges. Prosecutors had dropped charges of attempted first- and second-degree murder earlier this month.

Police initially said that Delich opened fire on them in March 2015, causing three officers to return fire, striking Delich once in the leg.

Police, however, never recovered any evidence that Delich ever fired his handgun. Judge Ronald A. Silkworth concluded that a police officer fired the first shot.

Silkworth told Delich that he was responsible for the events because he was severely intoxicated and didn't understand that police, not intruders, were on his property.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.