Latest news with #MarkDial
The Independent
23-05-2025
- The Independent
Ex-Philadelphia officer convicted of manslaughter, not murder, in traffic stop shooting
A former Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a motorist during a traffic stop has been acquitted of murder charges by a jury that did convict him of voluntary manslaughter and related counts. Mark Dial could face up to six years in prison when he's sentenced in July. The verdict came Thursday afternoon after the jury had deliberated for nearly three days. The charges against Dial stemmed from an August 2023 traffic stop involving Eddie Irizarry, 27, who Dial fatally shot as he sat in his car. Police body camera footage showed Irizarry holding a knife near his right leg as police approached, and another officer yelled 'knife' as they got near the vehicle. During the trial, Dial's attorneys disputed those assertions, saying the other officer yelled 'Gun!' They also argued the seven-inch knife Irizarry was holding resembled a gun, saying Dial acted lawfully and in self-defense. Following the verdict, Dial's attorneys said they were glad he was acquitted of murder but disappointed he was convicted of anything. Besides the voluntary manslaughter count, Dial also was convicted of reckless endangerment and possessing an instrument of crime. Prosecutors declined comment. The verdict culminates a series of legal twists and turns in the case, which has seen the charges filed, thrown out, refiled and later reduced.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Associated Press
Ex-Philadelphia officer convicted of manslaughter, not murder, in traffic stop shooting
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A former Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a motorist during a traffic stop has been acquitted of murder charges by a jury that did convict him of voluntary manslaughter and related counts. Mark Dial could face up to six years in prison when he's sentenced in July. The verdict came Thursday afternoon after the jury had deliberated for nearly three days. The charges against Dial stemmed from an August 2023 traffic stop involving Eddie Irizarry, 27, who Dial fatally shot as he sat in his car. Police body camera footage showed Irizarry holding a knife near his right leg as police approached, and another officer yelled 'knife' as they got near the vehicle. During the trial, Dial's attorneys disputed those assertions, saying the other officer yelled 'Gun!' They also argued the seven-inch knife Irizarry was holding resembled a gun, saying Dial acted lawfully and in self-defense. Following the verdict, Dial's attorneys said they were glad he was acquitted of murder but disappointed he was convicted of anything. Besides the voluntary manslaughter count, Dial also was convicted of reckless endangerment and possessing an instrument of crime. Prosecutors declined comment. The verdict culminates a series of legal twists and turns in the case, which has seen the charges filed, thrown out, refiled and later reduced.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- CBS News
Jury reaches mixed verdict in trial of ex-Philadelphia officer Mark Dial in fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry
Mark Dial, the former Philadelphia police officer charged with shooting and killing Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop nearly two years ago, was found not guilty of third-degree murder by a jury Thursday afternoon in a mixed verdict. He was also found not guilty of official oppression. Dial was found guilty on other charges, including voluntary manslaughter, possession of an instrument of crime and reckless endangerment. The trial, which began Monday, centered around claims that Irizarry "lunged" at officers during the August 2023 stop and Dial's belief that Irizarry had a gun in the car. During the trial, Dial's partner testified that he called out that Irizarry was armed. Defense attorneys for Dial agreed that the case was a tragedy but argued that Dial didn't deserve to be convicted for making a "reasonable" mistake. Jurors resumed the case Wednesday and deliberated for about two hours before adjourning for the night. The 12-person jury resumed deliberating Thursday around 10 a.m. before reaching a verdict just before 4 p.m. This is a developing story. CBS News Philadelphia will provide more details as new information becomes available.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- CBS News
Former Philadelphia police officer Mark Dial unexpectedly takes stand at trial for murder of Eddie Irizarry
Mark Dial, the former Philadelphia police officer charged in the fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry, told jurors at his trial Wednesday that he feared for his life when he shot and killed Irizarry in August 2023. The shooting sparked protests and national attention when surveillance camera and body camera videos were released that police leaders said contradicted Dial's initial account of what happened. One of the key claims was that Irizarry "lunged" at Dial, but the videos showed Irizarry remaining in the driver's seat of a Toyota Corolla when Dial and his partner pulled up alongside him during a traffic stop. Police leadership revised their account of the shooting after reviewing the bodycam video. The body camera video showed Dial standing outside the closed driver's side window, firing into the vehicle and moving around to the windshield while continuing to fire. Dial took the stand unexpectedly in his trial on third-degree murder and other charges. His attorneys sought to cast the incident as a tragedy, not a crime. Along with his partner, Dial exited a police cruiser after pulling up on Willard Street next to the Corolla where Irizarry was sitting. Attorneys for Irizarry's family said Dial opened fire within six seconds of exiting the patrol vehicle. Their interactions had begun earlier, though, Dial said: he told the jury he and his partner saw the Corolla go through a stop sign and drive "erratically." On Willard Street, Dial said he heard his partner screaming at Irizarry to show his hands. Dial said he heard his partner say, "Mark, he's got a gun." Dial said he then screamed at Irizarry to put down the gun. Brian McMonagle, Dial's defense attorney, asked him: "Why did you shoot"? The former officer said he fired "because I was going to get shot in the face." A detective who testified said two knives were recovered from the Toyota, but no gun. Both sides made closing statements Wednesday and had broken for lunch by around 12:30 p.m. Following that, the jury will receive instructions and then begin deliberating.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- CBS News
Trial continues for ex-Philadelphia police officer Mark Dial in 2023 fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry
Testimony was in its second day in the trial of former Philadelphia police officer Mark Dial, charged with third-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry of Kensington in August 2023. Supporters of the Irizarry family demonstrated outside the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia. Testimony has been emotional since the trial's start, with Dial and members of the Irizarry family seen crying in court. Dial is accused of shooting and killing the 27-year-old Irizarry during a traffic stop on Willard Street in Kensington on Aug. 14, 2023. Body camera footage showed Dial opening fire on Irizarry as he sat inside a car. Authorities said Dial and his partner were following Irizarry, who was allegedly driving erratically. Dial and his partner got out of their police cruiser after Irizarry was driving the wrong way down Willard, a one-way street. Prosecutors said within six seconds, Dial fired five shots through the closed driver's side window. Defense attorneys for Dial say he believed Irizarry was armed with a gun. The officer's partner testified Monday that he called out that Irizarry was armed. A detective testified that two knives were recovered from Irizarry's Toyota, but no gun. Dial could spend years in prison if convicted. Dial's defense attorneys are arguing this was a tragedy, but not a crime, and claim Dial exercised reasonable force, believing his life was in danger.
