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Prince George’s County police officer, Cpl. Michael Owen Jr., is on trial for the murder of William Green in 2020. Prosecutors claim that Green was shot because he urinated while in custody in a police car. Owen argues that he fired in self-defense after Green became violent. The jury is expected to deliver its verdict soon.
Prince George’s Police Cpl. Michael Owen is on trial for the murder of 43-year-old William Green in 2020
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A Prince George’s County jury is poised to decide the fate of the first police officer in county history to be charged with murdering a suspect after prosecutors claimed Tuesday that the victim was shot because he urinated while in custody in a police car.
Prince George’s County police Cpl. Michael Owen Jr. is accused of shooting 43-year-old William Green to death after Green was arrested and put in handcuffs during a January 2020 investigation of a series of vehicle collisions.
Prosecutor Jason Abbott told Judge Michael Pearson that the conflict started when Green, under the influence of PCP and in handcuffs behind his back, began complaining he had to urinate after being in custody in the front seat of Cpl. Owen’s police car for up to a half hour.
According to Abbott, when Green relieved himself while sitting in the car, Owen killed him.
“There is urine in the car and as a result, he shot Mr. Green.”, Abbott said.
The revelation came while lawyers argued over a defense demand to dismiss a second-degree murder charge because they said prosecutors failed to prove Owen had any “malice or forethought” before pulling the trigger.
Malice and forethought are key elements to sustain a second-degree murder conviction.
Monday, Owen took the stand in his defense. He said he fired in self-defense after Green began violently thrashing in the car, causing Owen’s gun to come out of its holster. Owen said Green got his hands on the gun despite being cuffed behind his back. After a shot was fired during the struggle, Owen said he gained control of the gun and fired at Green to stop him.
Green was hit by six bullets.
A police use of force expert testifying for the defense Tuesday said the shooting was justified.
“If the account given by Cpl. Owen is accurate, this is consistent with police use of force training”, Emanuel Kapelsohn testified.
The prosecution’s expert, former FBI agent Dr. Tyrone Power, testified he found no evidence to support the claim of a fight in the car.
“There’s no evidence his life was in danger,” Powers said. “He shouldn’t have used deadly force at all.”
Pearson decided to let the murder charge stand, which throws Owen’s fate to the jury that has been hearing evidence since November 28.
The final arguments and jury deliberations are expected tomorrow.
Prince George’s County police officer, Cpl. Michael Owen Jr., is currently on trial for the murder of 43-year-old William Green in 2020. This trial is significant because it marks the first time in the county’s history that a police officer has been charged with the murder of a suspect.
According to prosecutors, the conflict began when Green, who was under the influence of PCP and in handcuffs behind his back, complained that he needed to urinate after being in custody in the front seat of Owen’s police car for an extended period of time. Prosecutors allege that when Green relieved himself in the car, Owen fatally shot him.
The defense, however, argues that Owen acted in self-defense. Owen testified that Green began violently thrashing in the car, causing Owen’s gun to come out of its holster. Despite being handcuffed, Green allegedly managed to grab the gun, leading to a struggle where a shot was fired. Owen claims that he regained control of the gun and fired at Green to stop him.
The prosecution’s expert, a former FBI agent, testified that he found no evidence to support the claim of a fight in the car and stated that Owen should not have used deadly force at all. On the other hand, a police use of force expert testifying for the defense stated that the shooting was justified if Owen’s account is accurate.
The fate of Cpl. Michael Owen Jr. now rests in the hands of the jury, who have been hearing evidence in this case since November 28. The final arguments and jury deliberations are expected to take place tomorrow.
This trial has sparked significant debate over the use of force by police officers and the accountability of law enforcement in cases involving the death of suspects. It serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and impartiality in investigating and prosecuting such incidents to ensure justice for all parties involved..
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Scott Broom said Officer killed suspect for urinating while in handcuffs, prosecutors claim
