CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The family of an unarmed man shot and killed by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer is eager for that case to go to trial.
The attorney representing Jonathan Ferrell's family, Charles Monnet, said they are relieved to hear the case against former officer Randall Kerrick is moving forward.
[ Past Article: Trial date set for CMPD officer accused of killing unarmed man ]
The unprecedented case will go before a judge on July 20.
The family knows the case has drawn a lot of national media attention and they're hoping this trail will ultimately help foster better relationships between the police and the public nation-wide, Monnet said.
It's been nearly a year and a half since 24-year-old Ferrell was shot and killed and since then, his mother Georgia Ferrell has struggled to stay strong.
"His mom has done a much better job than I would have been able to do in adjusting to what happened to her son," Monnet said. "She has a strong faith and that's what carried her through this."
Some have questioned the time it's taken to set that trial date, but Monnet said the family would rather prosecutors be prepared than to rush and fail.
"I think there's always frustration in the pace of a process the legal system does move slowly but overall they are satisfied that things do seem to be progressing and there's an end in sight," Monnet said.
Prosecutors will try to convince a jury to convict Kerrick of voluntary manslaughter during the trial.
They said Ferrell had just crashed his car in a Charlotte neighborhood when the officer fired 12 shots killing Ferrell who was unarmed. Kerrick said he fired in self-defense.
The case has been racially charged and constantly compared to recent cases nationwide where unarmed black men have been shot and killed by white police officers.
"Georgia Ferrell's daughter is a law enforcement officer," Monet said. "Has a unique perspective and wants to use the opportunity to better foster relations between police departments everywhere in the communities they serve," Monet said.
A local group pushed for the dash cam video from the day of that shooting to be released Wednesday but Monnet said at this point that is not a priority for the family.