Maryland Officer Acquitted in Fatal Shooting of Handcuffed Man

The jury's decision, reached in less than two hours, has sparked renewed calls for police reform in Prince George’s County.

Maryland police officer Michael Owen Jr. has been acquitted of all charges, including second-degree murder, first-degree assault, voluntary manslaughter and misconduct in office, related to the fatal shooting of a handcuffed man, William Green, in 2020.
Owen's defense claimed he acted in self-defense during a struggle in which Green tried to grab his gun, while the prosecution argued that Green posed no threat and that Owen failed to respect the sanctity of human life.
The jury delivered the not guilty verdict after less than two hours of deliberations.
Several months after Green’s death, county officials announced a $20 million settlement with his family.
The case has ignited calls for police reform in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where the police department has a history of excessive force and misconduct.