Grand jury charges white bar owner with manslaughter in shooting death of Black Omahan [View all]
Source: Omaha World Herald
By Todd Cooper, Alia Conley
A grand jury on Tuesday charged a 38-year-old white bar owner with manslaughter and three other felonies in connection with the May 30 death of a 22-year-old Black Omahan during protests in downtown Omaha.
Grand jurors, who met for four days and deliberated this week, charged Jake Gardner with manslaughter, defined as the killing of another during a sudden quarrel. The former owner of The Hive and Gatsby bars also faces charges of attempted first-degree assault, terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony. If convicted of all four counts, he could face up to 95 years in prison.
The indictment was a seismic shift from 107 days ago, when Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine declined to file charges against Gardner. After reviewing witness statements and video evidence, Kleine said that Gardner had fired at James Scurlock in self-defense after Scurlock jumped on him.
Special Prosecutor Fred Franklin said he told grand jurors that he initially had expected to come to the same conclusion as Kleine had. However, the police investigation, which continued after Kleine's announcement, revealed evidence of Gardner's intent.
James Scurlock
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I posted this because this case got national press for weeks after it happened.
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