Roanoke police officer found not guilty

By Scott Leamon
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: August 25, 2008

In one of the first trials of its kind in 30 years, a Roanoke City Police Officer is found not guilty on a charge of unlawful wounding.

On Monday, August 25th, a judge ruled Officer Daniel Meyer had several reasons for shooting an unarmed man, after a foot chase during a traffic stop back on Valentine’s Day in Northwest Roanoke.

Meyer chased 17-year-old Josh Brown, after Meyer says he saw Brown make a move toward his waistband at the end of the chase, and shot him.  Meyer says Brown ignored his commands before he fired.

Meyer claimed he thought he was chasing Charles Perdue, one of Roanoke’s most wanted who has since been captured.  Perdue was wanted on a number of charges, including shooting at a Police Officer.  Ironically, police caught Perdue on the same day and in the same area.

Meyer has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.

After the judge made his ruling, Brown had to be escorted out of the building while shouting and yelling obscenities.

During the course of the case, Brown admitted that he did not have a valid driver’s license,  was already on home confinement for a previous juvenile charge, and had no business being out in the first place.

Neither Meyer nor Brown wanted to talk after the trial.

The day after, Roanoke City Police Chief Joe Gaskins said, “While it is unfortunate that someone was shot and this event had to occur, the department agrees with the court’s findings in the officer involved shooting,“ in a statement.

The Police Department plans to assign Officer Meyer to administrative duties while they update him on any changes to rules, regulations, and policies since he has been on administrative leave.

The department’s disciplinary review board will review the administrative investigation.  Their previous actions were suspended, pending the outcome of Meyer’s trial.

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Meyer declined comment through a friend after the verdict.
Several senior officers also declined comment on when they thought Meyer might come back to work.
Meyer has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.
The judge said several factors, including Josh Brown’s apparent refusal to obey Meyer’s commands, made the shooting justified.
Brown was escorted out of the building by sheriff’s deputies while shouting and yelling obscenities.

 
Ofc. Daniel Meyer was found not guilty. Josh Brown had to be escorted from the courtroom. WSLS 10 On Your Side at 11 for more.

A Roanoke police officer faces a judge this afternoon in a bench trial for an unlawful wounding charge.

  Ofc. Daniel Meyer is accused of shooting Josh Brown after a short foot chase back on Valentine’s Day in northwest Roanoke.

  Meyer shot Brown, whom it was later determined did not have a gun.

  Police said Brown made some sort of movement into his pants pocket before he was shot.

  The trial is expected to last two hours at most in Roanoke Circuit Courtroom # 4.

  It begins at 1:30 PM.