Closing arguments completed in case of Cleveland cop charged in 2 deaths in 137-shot barrage

CLEVELAND – Lawyers in the trial of a Cleveland patrolmen charged in the deaths of two people in a 137-shot barrage of police gunfire have based their closing arguments on whether the officer feared for his life.

Prosecutors argued Tuesday that 31-year-old Michael Brelo (BREE-loh) acted unreasonably when he stood on the hood of the suspects’ car and fired his final 15 rounds in November 2012. They say the car had stopped and Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams could not escape.

The defence countered that Brelo believed Russell and Williams were armed and were shooting at officers when he fired.

Brelo faces a maximum 22 years in prison if convicted on two counts of voluntary manslaughter.

The judge deciding Brelo’s case has said he likely won’t deliver a verdict before May 15.