The Latest: Judge denies request to dismiss case against cop

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Latest on a hearing for a Minnesota police officer who killed a black man in a traffic stop (all times local):

4:10 p.m.

A Minnesota judge won’t dismiss the case against a police officer who killed a black man during a July traffic stop.

Judge William Leary III ruled Wednesday that it’s fair and reasonable to allow the case against St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez to go to trial.

Yanez is charged with manslaughter and other counts. Authorities say he shot and killed 32-year-old Philando Castile after Castile told him he was armed. Castile’s girlfriend was in the car with him and streamed the shooting’s aftermath live on Facebook.

Yanez’s attorneys argued that Castile’s own negligence exonerated Yanez. But Leary says a victim’s unreasonable conduct is never an absolute defence to a criminal charge.

A hearing where Yanez is expected to enter a plea is set for Feb. 27.

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10:15 a.m.

Lawyers for a Minnesota police officer who killed a black man during a July traffic stop say the manslaughter case against him should be dismissed.

Attorney Paul Engh told a judge Wednesday that St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez perceived a threat to his life and responded accordingly.

But prosecutor Jeff Paulsen said Philando Castile had the right not to be killed for no good reason. He said the case should proceed to trial because many facts are disputed. Among them, he said, are whether Castile was impaired by marijuana, whether he was reaching for his wallet and whether Yanez saw a gun.

Judge William Leary expects to issue a decision Wednesday afternoon.

Castile’s girlfriend was in the car with him and streamed the aftermath of the shooting live on Facebook.

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6:40 a.m.

A judge is set to hear arguments on whether to dismiss the case against a Minnesota police officer who shot and killed a black man during a July traffic stop.

St. Anthony police Officer Jeronimo Yanez is charged with manslaughter and other counts in the July 6 shooting of Philando Castile.

Prosecutors have said Castile was shot after he told Yanez he was armed. The 32-year-old Castile was licensed to carry a weapon.

Yanez’s attorneys have said Castile was reaching for his gun and that the shooting was justified. They will argue at a hearing Wednesday that the case should be dismissed.

Prosecutors disagree. They’ve filed documents saying issues raised by the defence should be decided by a jury.

Castile’s girlfriend streamed the shooting’s gruesome aftermath live on Facebook.