Mistrial declared on most serious charges in Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin Trial.

[Ken Burch]

Source: The Olympian



After an eight-week trial and almost five days of jury deliberations, the jury deadlocked on the most serious charges faced by two brothers involved in an officer-involved shooting in west Olympia almost two years ago to the day.
That incident between Andre Thompson, Bryson Chaplin and Olympia police officer Ryan Donald happened on May 21, 2015.
On the more serious charges assault in the second degree Thurston County Superior Court Judge Erik Price declared a mistrial.
However, the brothers, Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin, were found guilty on lesser charges. Both were free to go Thursday, although the prosecution recommended they be taken into custody. Defense attorneys argued against that and the judge agreed.
Thompsons attorney Sunni Ko declined to comment, while Chaplins attorney George Trejo expressed disappointment in the jurys decision. Thompson could not immediately be reached after the verdict, while Chaplins friends and family prevented an Olympian reporter from asking him questions.

About 50 supporters of the two brothers began singing in the lobby of Superior Court after the verdict.
They sang:
Thank the waters for Brysons and Andres lives. Theyre not guilty, we know whos guilty.
Check back for updates to this story.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403, @rolf_boone



Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article151306862.html

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Andre and Bryson did NOT assault the officer-the officer had no injuries, and according to the medical evidence they were shot in the back, thus discrediting the officer's claim that he shot in self-defense.

There was no evidence supporting the claim that Andre and Bryson were attacking the officer with a skateboard OTHER than the officer's claim that they did so.

There will now need to be massive public pressure to get the prosecutors NOT to retry on the assault charges.

Here, btw, is a link to the people singing outside the courtroom. I was there, and it was an incredibly moving experience:


https://www.facebook.com/lganser/videos/10156300302259199/

[cstanleytech]

1. What's the 3rd and 4th degree assault conviction for then?

[Ken Burch]

2. Probably to do with whatever happened at the liquor store.

When I posted that, there wasn't a specific breakdown available as to the verdicts on every specific charge.