Officer accused in unarmed man's death in court for hearing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the first time since he was charged for shooting and killing an unarmed man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officer Randall Kerrick appeared in court on voluntary manslaughter charges.

The case has become part of the much larger national debate of deadly force used by police. Kerrick was accused of shooting and killing Jonathan Ferrel.

Kerrick left the courthouse flanked by his lawyers and a handful of deputies after the hearing that lasted about two minute.

Prosecutors from the state attorney general's office handed over a file full of evidence called discovery to Kerrick's attorneys.

"I don't think there's any question but that everybody's more aware of the rift in this country. The racial tension between police departments and the citizens," said defense attorney Tony Scheer.

Scheer said that will make picking a jury very difficult and very important to both sides.

No date has been set for the trial, but it's not expected to start until the middle of next year at the earliest.

The hearing was quick and routine, but there is nothing routine about the case.

"Persons in the community definitely have to be particularly active to shine a light on this," said Dwayne Collins, a former Charlotte NAACP president.

Collins made it a point to be at the courthouse. The case has been racially charged since Channel 9 learned that Ferrell was unarmed with Kerrick shot him 10 times at close range.

Within 12 hours, police had arrested and charged Kerrick with manslaughter, but Ferrell's family and others have still raised questions about the handling of the case. They are questions that brought May Bostic to Thursday's hearing.

"I'm here for the compassion and support so justice can prevail," she said.

Kerrick and his attorneys said nothing as they walked away.

The next court date is Feb. 5.

A handful of people were outside the courthouse and shouted, “No justice. No peace!” as Kerrick left.

Dozens of protesters outside courthouse after CMPD officer’s hearing

Dozens of protesters yelled at Officer Randall Kerrick as soon as he walked out of the courthouse surrounded by his attorneys.

Kerrick was stonefaced and didn't answer any of questions as he walked out of the courthouse while those protestors chanted "No Justice. No Peace."

Many of the protesters followed Kerrick to the black SUV that was waiting for him.

One protester said she caught the bus from west Charlotte at 8 a.m. Thursday just to see Kerrick in court.

"He just didn't give a darn. He didn't care at all, like he was proud. He held his head up high, did you see that?" protester Celeste Hart said.

Hart and other protesters said they plan to attend every court hearing for Kerrick, including the next one, on Feb. 5.

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