Auburn Officer Convicted of Murder in Historic Verdict

Jeffrey Nelson becomes the first Washington police officer convicted of murder for on-duty actions under new legal standards.

Jury found Nelson guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree assault for the 2019 shooting of Jesse Sarey.
The conviction marks a significant milestone in police accountability in Washington state.
Nelson's defense argued self-defense, but the jury sided with prosecutors who cited video evidence and eyewitness testimony.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, with Nelson facing up to life in prison for the murder charge.
This case was the first major test of Initiative 940, a law passed to reform police use of deadly force.