Final charge against Weekley dismissed in Aiyana Stanley-Jones shooting

Detroit police officer won't face 3rd trial for girl's deadly shooting during 2010 raid

DETROIT – A judge has dismissed the final charge against Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley, whose gun discharged during a 2010 raid and killed 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones.

Weekley's second trial for the girl's death ended in October with a hung jury. A judge dismissed a charge of involuntary manslaughter during the trial. All that remained was a misdemeanor charge of recklessly using a firearm, which was officially dismissed on Friday.

In a Wednesday news release, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy called this "unfortunate" as she announced the case would be dismissed on Friday.

"Today we personally informed the family of Aiyana Stanley–Jones that we have made a decision that we would not be going to trial for a third time in the Joseph Weekley case. It is unfortunate that Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway granted a directed verdict dismissing the felony manslaughter charged, leaving only the misdemeanor count of careless discharge causing injury or death. Under the law her decision cannot be appealed," said Worthy in her news release.

Aiyana was shot in the head while she slept in May 2010. The shooting was not considered intentional. Police were accompanied by a camera crew from "The First 48," which recorded it from the outside but not inside where Aiyana was shot.

Weekley burst through the door to search for a murder suspect. He said he mistakenly pulled the trigger when Aiyana's grandmother grabbed his gun, although she denies it.

"Obviously we support the decision of the prosecutor's office not to try this out again and we are very pleased that we can start putting this behind us," said Mark Diaz, with the Detroit Police Officers Association.

Weekley's first trial also ended without a verdict. He said he feels "haunted" by the tragedy. He's still considered to be on administrative leave from the Detroit Police Department.

Worthy said she will continue fighting for justice.


-- Joseph Weekley in court Jan. 30, 2015