Meth user handed hefty jail term for cop's car killing
Reagan Ainslie Chown, 25, was convicted of manslaughter over the late-night June 8, 2023 incident that led to Constable Anthony Woods' death.
He was sentenced in the Western Australian Supreme Court on Thursday to a head sentence of 15 years and six months, and a minimum term of 13 years and six months.
Const Woods' mother Natalie said her heart was "ripped" away the day her son died.
"My beautiful son Anthony was so full of life, energy and ambition," she said as she read her victim impact statement to the court.
"He was doing his duty and he was protecting his community and his future was taken away."
Ms Woods said her family continued to suffer and "each anniversary, birthday and any moment we shared with him is now painful for us".
"Whatever he did, he had a great passion ... he was larger than life, but his love for his family was number one," she said.
Chown and two others fled from police in a stolen Holden Cruz in a high-speed chase before turning into a cul-de-sac and coming to a stop.
Const Woods, 28, opened the driver's door and tried to detain Chown, who was behind the steering wheel with the engine running.
Chown put the car into reverse and accelerated in a bid to escape.
The officer fired his Taser into the moving car before falling and being dragged under the vehicle, where he became trapped.
CCTV footage played during the trial in May showed the Holden reversing at speed, mounting a kerb and stopping after it hit a bollard.
During the video, Const Woods can be heard twice saying "stay where you are" and "Taser" as the vehicle moved backwards.
The officer died several days after the incident from complications of cardiac arrest caused by mechanical compression of the chest and abdomen.
Chown was under the influence of methamphetamine and in possession of the drug when the incident happened.
During his trial, he argued he was not responsible for the tragedy because the officer shot him with a Taser and it caused him to lose control of a stolen car.
Justice Joseph McGrath said Chown intended to flee police and ignored the officer's lawful commands.
"Undoubtedly, the Taser caused you pain and discomfort, but your course of conduct was set and it was done consciously and deliberately," he said.
"Even if you were not tasered, you would have reversed and that was your intention."
Const Woods, who had just passed his probation, was farewelled before about 2000 police officers, family, friends and dignitaries at Perth's Optus Stadium.
Chown was initially accused of murder but the charge was downgraded to manslaughter a week before his trial.
He was also convicted of stealing the car and reckless driving to escape police and was also sentenced for those offences.
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