Philadelphia Police Officer Charged: A Philadelphia police officer who fatally shot a motorist turned himself in on Friday and was charged with murder in the man’s death as gruesome bodycam footage of the fatal confrontation was released by prosecutors.
Officer Mark Dial turned himself in on a criminal warrant and was charged with homicide, voluntary manslaughter, official oppression, and four additional counts on Friday. As he surrendered, Dial did not comment as he walked past reporters. His attorney maintained the shooting was justified, stating that Dial believed Eddie Irizarry, 27, had a gun.
During a vehicle stop on August 14, Dial fired at close range through the rolled-up driver’s side window of Irizarry’s sedan, as captured by a police bodycam. According to the video, Dial shot Irizarry approximately seven seconds after exiting a police SUV and striding over to Irizarry’s vehicle. He discharged six rounds in total.
The videos, taken from Dial’s body-worn camera and the camera of a second officer on the scene, “are crucial evidence in the case and in many ways they speak for themselves,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said at a news conference.
Faculty member killed in Campus shooting at UNC-Chapel Hill
Dial’s lawyer, Fortunato N. Perri Jr., stated a vigorous defence
“Despite what has been presented to the media, the facts will unmistakably demonstrate that Officer Mark Dial was legally justified in firing his weapon when he feared for his life,” Perri wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
Dial was released on bail of $500,000 on Friday, and a preliminary hearing on the allegations was scheduled for later this month. The police union has verified posting 10% of Dial’s bail to secure his release.
Brian J. McMonagle, another defence attorney, described the decision to charge him with murder as “appalling.”
“When police officers ordered him to show his hands, he instead produced a weapon and pointed it at an armed officer,” McMonagle told reporters. “In no way are those realities criminal. We intend to rectify this error.”
Before he was shot, Irizarry is seen clutching a knife in his right hand next to his right leg on body camera footage.
The district attorney, Krasner, declined to address questions regarding the content of the videos, but stated that the facts clearly supported the charges.
“We have been attempting to be fair, fair to everyone. We have endeavoured to make it abundantly plain that justice is impartial. “It does not matter if you are influential or not, wealthy or not, famous or not, an insider or an outsider,” he said.
Philadelphia Police Officer Charged For Killing
Authorities claim Dial shot Irizarry after officers observed his erratic driving around noon on August 14 and followed his car for several blocks. As the driver turned the incorrect way down a one-way street and stopped, officers approached.
The department backtracked after initially alleging the officers made a traffic stop and shot a person outside the vehicle after he “lunged at” police with a knife. A review of the officers’ body-worn cameras, according to departing Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, “made it abundantly clear that what we initially reported was not accurate.”
Five-year veteran Dial was suspended with intent to terminate after officials claimed he refused to cooperate with the investigation of the murder.
Zoraida Garcia, Irizarry’s aunt, told The Philadelphia Inquirer in a text message, “Seeing this video again is like ripping my heart apart,” and Dial should spend the remainder of his life behind bars. Even though it won’t bring my nephew back, he should be punished for taking an innocent life.
The charges against Dial came three days after the mayor announced that Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw will step down later this month, ending a turbulent three years in which she guided one of the country’s largest police forces through pandemic lockdowns, Black Lives Matter protests and frequent turmoil over race and policing.
