By Joanna Putman
Police1
BUFFALO, N.Y. — A trooper charged with manslaughter over the fatal officer-involved shooting of a Pennsylvania man has been found not guilty, WIVB reported.
New York State Trooper Anthony Nigro IV was charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter over the Feb. 2022 shooting death of James Huber, 38, according to the report. Body camera video released in March 2022 shows Nigro encountering Huber while parked in his vehicle.
Huber had been the subject of a pursuit after speeding over 100 mph, according to the report. The pursuit had been called off when Nigro spotted and stopped him.
Nigro pointed his service weapon at Huber while commanding him to get out of the vehicle. Huber refused and told Nigro to “go away.” The video then shows the vehicle reversing and Nigro falling to the ground as he fires shots at Huber.
Judge James Bargnesi delivered the not guilty verdict in the March 13 bench trial.
The Police Benevolent Association stated that it was “clear” that the charges against Nigro were not applicable, according to the report.
“We thank the judge for his careful consideration of the facts and his recognition that Trooper Nigro’s actions were in accordance with his training and the law, and he was justified in his use of force,” the statement from PBA president Charles W. Murphy read. “This is also a victory for law enforcement professionals, who are facing increasingly violent suspects and are forced to make split-second, life-and-death decisions to protect themselves and the public.”
