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William Green's Family Demands 'Prompt And Thorough Justice' After He Was Shot While Handcuffed In Police Cruiser

OXON HILL, Md. (WJZ) -- A Prince George's County corporal is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and assault after shooting a handcuffed man inside his patrol car.

Now, the family of William Green demand "prompt and thorough justice" in his death.

Attorney Billy Murphy, who is representing the family, spoke to the public Thursday morning saying the family wants justice after the sudden loss of their loved one.

Murphy said he's never seen such swift action by a police chief -- as Cpl. Michael Owen was charged with murder on Tuesday, only a day after the shooting.

The last moments of the 43-year-old father's life happened in Temple Hills Monday night.

Known as BooBoo to his family, Green was killed Monday night after Prince George's County police officers responded to reports that a driver had struck multiple vehicles near the Temple Hills community.

Residents along Winston Street said this is where Green's car was when he first came into contact with police. We're told he was taken out of the car and walked to the police cruiser at the end of the street.

Police believed Green was on PCP at the time of the arrest.

"I love and miss my son and I'll never see my son again and something needs to be done," Green's mother, Brenda said.

WILLIAM GREEN
William Green was shot & killed in a Prince George's County Police cruiser while he was handcuffed in Jan. 2020.

Police initially reported there was a struggle inside the cruiser, but investigators didn't find any evidence of a fight between Owen and Green before he was fatally shot in the front passenger seat of a patrol car, police said in a report on a murder charge against the officer.

"The death unnecessarily of a black man who didn't deserve it or provoke it had nothing to do with the rage that must have ensued in that squad car that produced seven shots six of which resulted in his death," Murphy said.

Murphy also called attention to Owen's 10-year stint with the force where Owen shot and killed another man in December of 201. He added there is a history to examine.

RELATED: Maryland officer accused of fatally shooting handcuffed man linked to another deadly incident in 2011

"A very very comprehensive look at this officer and his interactions on the force as he moved from patrol to corporal," Murphy said.

But for the Green family; William's mother and two children, the fact that he is gone is beyond belief.

William's daughter, also named Brenda, said her father was her best friend and they spoke frequently.

"I dreamt of the day my daddy could be able to walk me down the aisle and I wanted him to be able to meet his future grandchildren, but day won't ever come now," she said.

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Murphy did not want to discuss the facts of the case, but said criminal justice and financial compensation for the family is his focus.

Owen was charged with second-degree murder in Green's death. Owen did not have a body-worn camera on as the Prince George's County Police Department cannot afford to put cameras on all their officers.

michael owen pgpd
Corporal Michael Owen, Jr. Credit: Prince George's County Police

"This is a senseless murder of another black in our community," an Bob Ross, the president of the Prince George's County NAACP said, noting they have lost two black men to police brutality in the last six months and another man is paralyzed from the waist down.

Green's family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral expenses.

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