11/22/2008

Associated Press

The district attorney in Mecklenburg County says he will not charge a police officer who shot and killed a man earlier this year.

The Charlotte Observer reported Friday that District Attorney Peter Gilchrist said physical evidence corroborates what Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer David Jester told detectives. Jester stated he fired in self defense because he believed his life was in danger.

Jester shot 21-year-old Aaron Quentin Winchester twice in the back as he fled up a residential street in May. Police have said that Winchester pulled a handgun from his back packet and started to turn toward the officer.

Some witnesses have said Winchester was trying to get away and didn't pull a gun or turn.

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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotte.com