The Cop Who Shot an Unarmed Teen at Walmart FINALLY Goes to PRISON!

I'm Walter Briggs, and in this video we're examining the cross-examination of Stephen Rankin at his murder trial. Today's case comes from the Virginia trial of Stephen Rankin, a former Portsmouth police officer charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm after he shot unarmed 18-year-old William Chapman in a Walmart parking lot on April 22, 2015. The call was a shoplifting report, and Rankin responded alone, with no body or dash camera. Only his Taser camera recorded. The dispatch log shows about a minute from his location report to shots fired. Rankin used a Taser in drive stun mode, and it was knocked from his hand. On the stand he said he wasn't sure whether Chapman hit him, yet he fired twice. On cross-examination, the prosecutor pressed him on why he had time to remove the Taser cartridge but never spoke into the radio on his shoulder, and he resisted saying plainly that he killed Chapman. Jurors acquitted him of first- and second-degree murder but convicted him of voluntary manslaughter, recommended 2.5 years, and the judge imposed that sentence. Rankin appealed. This is what happens when a self-defense story meets a recording and a radio. DISCLAIMER This video is educational and journalistic content, made for information, commentary and public-interest reporting on the justice system. All footage comes from public court proceedings, official records and news reports. It is used under fair use for criticism, commentary, news reporting and education, and has been edited and combined with original analysis. We do not accuse anyone of anything beyond what was alleged in court or established by the court. Every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Nothing in this video is legal advice. Opinions are the author's own analysis of publicly available facts. We respect everyone involved in these cases, including victims and their families. Original videos: Stephen Rankin Trial Day 4 Part 2 (Rankin Testifies) 08/02/16 —    • Stephen Rankin Trial Day 4 Part 2 (Rankin ...   Murder trial for ex-police officer Rankin begins today —    • Murder trial for ex-police officer Rankin ...   Stephen Rankin testifies in murder trial —    • Stephen Rankin testifies in murder trial   Rankin convicted of voluntary manslaughter; jury recommends 2.5 years —    • Rankin convicted of voluntary manslaughter...   Rankin sentenced to 2.5 years in shooting death of William Chapman —    • Rankin sentenced to 2.5 years in shooting ...   Former Portsmouth officer Stephen Rankin appeals conviction in shooting death of teen —    • Former Portsmouth officer Stephen Rankin a...   Stephen Rankin Trial Opening Statements 07/28/16 —    • Stephen Rankin Trial Opening Statements 07...   Stephen Rankin Trial Day 4 Part 1 (Rankin Testifies) 08/02/16 —    • Stephen Rankin Trial Day 4 Part 1 (Rankin ...   Stephen Rankin Trial Day 4 Closing Arguments 08/02/16 —    • Stephen Rankin Trial Day 4 Closing Argumen...   Stephen Rankin Sentencing Phase Part 1 (Victim Impact) 08/04/16 —    • Stephen Rankin Sentencing Phase  Part 1 (V...   #PoliceAccountability #StephenRankin #WilliamChapman #CourtroomBreakdown #TrialAnalysis