In a groundbreaking case, a suburban Seattle police officer has been found guilty of murder in the shooting death of a homeless man outside a convenience store in 2019. This marks the first conviction under a Washington state law that has made it easier to prosecute law enforcement officers for on-duty killings.
After three days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict, finding Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree assault for shooting Jesse Sarey twice during an attempted arrest for disorderly conduct. Initially, deliberations were temporarily halted when the jury sent an incomplete verdict form, indicating their inability to reach a unanimous decision on one of the charges.
On Thursday, the judge revealed that the charge the jury struggled with earlier in the week was the murder charge, while they had already reached an agreement on the assault charge. Following the hearing, Nelson was taken into custody. Since the 2019 shooting, he had been on paid administrative leave. The judge has scheduled the sentencing for July 16. Nelson could face life imprisonment for the murder charge and up to 25 years for first-degree assault. His defense attorney has announced plans to file a motion for a new trial.
The conviction of Officer Nelson comes as a significant development in the ongoing national conversation surrounding police accountability and the use of deadly force. Washington state’s recent change in the law, aimed at facilitating the prosecution of law enforcement officers involved in fatal incidents while on duty, played a crucial role in this case.
The shooting of Jesse Sarey and subsequent trial brought attention to the issue of excessive force by police and the treatment of homeless individuals. The conviction sends a strong message that officers will be held accountable for their actions, and it may set a precedent for future cases involving police misconduct.
