Trial for ex-Gurley police officer charged with manslaughter moved to October
GURLEY, Ala. (WHNT) — A former Gurley police officer charged with manslaughter in a deadly 2023 wreck will stand trial in October, according to court documents.
Christopher Whalen is set to stand trial on October 6, according to court documents.
Whalen is charged with manslaughter in the death of Matthew Norwood, who was killed from injuries sustained during a wreck near the intersection of Interstate 565 and Jordan Lane, according to ALEA.
Norwood was driving a Toyota Corolla when he was hit by the Ford Explorer driven by Whalen, who was pursuing a Nissan Maxima. The Explorer was Whalen's on-duty assigned patrol vehicle.
ALEA said the Nissan Maxima was not struck or directly involved in the crash.
Norwood was transported to Huntsville Hospital following the wreck, where he died from injuries. Whalen was also transported to Huntsville Hospital to be treated for his injuries.
In November 2023, ALEA told News 19 that they had concluded their investigation into the chase and turned over the findings to the Madison County District Attorney's Office.
In January, Whalen resigned from the Gurley Police Department, according to a Town of Gurley official. The official said that Whalen is no longer affiliated with the town in any capacity and that the town's investigation was never finalized as Whalen resigned before it had been completed.
A Madison County Grand Jury indicted Whalen on August 30, 2024.
He previously had a trial date set for February of this year. Following several continuation motions that were granted, he will now stand trial later in 2025.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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