CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officer that was charged in July with misdemeanor death by vehicle after hitting and killing a pedestrian while on duty has been indicted by a grand jury for involuntary manslaughter.
Officer Phillip Barker, 24, was initially charged for hitting and killing a pedestrian in July while driving over 100 mph on a 35 mph limit road when he was responding to a call.
On Wednesday, jurors stated upon oath that Barker did unlawfully, willfully and feloniously kill and slay 28-year-old James Michael Short.
Short was crossing Morehead Street at Euclid Avenue around 3:20 a.m. on July 8 when he was struck by Barker. Short was pronounced deceased at the scene.
CMPD Chief Putney later revealed that Barker was while Short was crossing against a red light, Short was driving well over the speed limit at over 100 mph.
“It’s a difficult situation,” Putney said. “Anyone could make a mistake like this, he’s a young officer.”