Current Events > Cop that shot/killed suspect then planted evidence found not guilty.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I've done a little more reading on the case and it appears that the primary reason for why charges were brought is the skin cell DNA from Stockely on the gun combined with the lack of DNA from the victim. Further, the victim's DNA was obtained from a bag of heroin that was found in his car. This indicates that he is a DNA "shedder" too, which makes his lack of DNA on the gun more suspicious (so he leaves skin cell DNA on the bag but not on the gun?). There's also the comment Stockley made to his partner during the high speed pursuit, but that can be argued as a heat of the moment type of thing.

His partner claims he saw the gun in the car too (before Stockely entered the car) but that could be explained away as a cop lying for his partner. Not exactly impartial testimony there.

With all that said, I can see why the judge acquitted. There was no smoking gun here. The claim that there is video of him planting the gun is false (this falsehood is making the rounds on social media). The lack of DNA from the victim on the gun is very suspicious, but the DNA expert at the trial probably testified that people can handle objects without leaving behind traces of DNA. I've followed many true crime stories in the past, and have seen this testified to on a number of occasions. Also, only a minute trace of Shockley's DNA was found on the gun, under the screw on the butt. Crime scene evidence shows that he picked up the gun to discharge it.

It has to be "beyond reasonable doubt".