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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A jury found Connor Grubb, the Blendon Township Police officer who shot and killed a 21-year-old pregnant woman in a grocery store parking lot, not guilty on all charges on Friday.
Connor Grubb was initially charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault in the death of Ta’Kiya Young and the unborn girl due three months later.
Grubb and the fellow officer from the Blendon Township force had approached Young’s car on Aug. 24, 2023, about a report she was suspected of stealing alcohol from a grocery store in suburban Columbus. She partially lowered her window, and the other officer ordered her out. Instead, she rolled her car forward toward Grubb, who fired a single bullet through her windshield into her chest, video footage showed.
Body camera footage showed Connor Grubb shooting Young as he stood in front of her car, which started moving. During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that the body camera video showed Young turning her steering wheel away from Grubb, claiming that she was trying not to hit him.
Young was suspected of stealing hundreds of dollars worth of alcohol, but prosecutors argue that doesn’t justify a fatal shooting.
Meanwhile, the defense said their witnesses proved that Grubb’s actions that day were legal and reasonable. They said Grubb acted in self-defense and was in fear of being run over by Young. The defense asked the jury to put their sympathy for Young’s death aside and focus on the law when making their decision.
The defense also asked twice for a mistrial, leading to a heated argument between them and the prosecutors. Ultimately, the judge denied that request.
The Associated Press and Anchor/Reporter Emani Payne contributed to this story.
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Lydia Taylor
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