Expert says Officer Justified in Castile Case

ST. PAUL, Minn.-A use-of-force expert says a Minnesota police officer used reasonable force when he shot and killed a black motorist last year in the seconds after the motorist told him he was carrying a gun.

Emanuel Kapelsohn is the second such expert to testify on behalf of Officer Jeronimo Yanez. The St. Anthony officer is charged with manslaughter in the death of Philando Castile during a traffic stop. Prosecutors have portrayed Castile as being cooperative when he volunteered to Yanez early during the stop, “Sir, I have to tell you, I do have a firearm on me.”

Yanez then told Castile not to reach for the gun. Kapelsohn says that was a moderate response. And he says when Castile reached for something, Yanez was justified in firing.

Kapelsohn also testified that his tests found Castile could have drawn his gun in a fraction of a second.