The Latest: State will appeal deputy manslaughter ruling

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Latest on manslaughter charge dismissed against Florida deputy (all times local):

12:10 p.m.

Prosecutors say they intend to appeal a judge’s dismissal of a manslaughter charge against a Florida deputy who fatally shot a black man carrying what turned out to be an air rifle.

A spokesman for Broward State Attorney Michael Satz confirmed in an email that Wednesday’s decision will be appealed. A circuit judge ruled in favour of Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter Peraza under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defence law. Peraza faced 30 years in prison if convicted.

The 37-year-old Peraza, a white Hispanic, last year became the first Florida law enforcement officer charged for an on-duty shooting in some 30 years. He killed 33-year-old Jermaine McBean after 911 callers reported a man carrying a rifle down a busy street.

McBean’s family says he failed to drop the rifle because he was listening to music through earbuds.

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11:35 a.m.

The attorney for a Florida deputy whose manslaughter charge has been dismissed by a judge says he acted properly in fatally shooting a black man carrying what turned out to be an air rifle.

Defence lawyer Eric Schwartzreich says Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter Peraza should have never been charged in the 2014 shooting of 33-year-old Jermaine McBean. Schwartzreich also says the case was not about race but self-defence. Peraza is a white Hispanic.

A circuit judge ruled Wednesday for Peraza under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defence law. Peraza faced 30 years in prison if convicted. The decision can be appealed.

The 37-year-old Peraza last year became the first Florida law enforcement officer charged for an on-duty shooting in some 30 years. He killed McBean after 911 callers reported a man carrying a rifle down a busy street.

McBean’s family says he failed to drop the rifle because he was listening to music through earbuds.

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10:30 a.m.

A manslaughter charge has been dismissed against a Florida deputy who claimed self-defence in the 2014 fatal shooting of a black man carrying what turned out to be an air rifle.

A circuit judge ruled Wednesday for Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter Peraza, who sought to get the case thrown out under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defence law. Peraza faced 30 years in prison if convicted.

The decision can be appealed by prosecutors.

The 37-year-old Peraza last year became the first Florida law enforcement officer charged for an on-duty shooting in some 30 years. He killed 33-year-old Jermaine McBean after 911 callers reported a man carrying a rifle down a busy street. McBean was black. Peraza is a white Hispanic.

McBean’s family says he failed to drop the rifle because he was listening to music through earbuds.