x
Breaking News
More () »

Judge dismisses lawsuit against KPD officer accused in deadly 2014 shooting

The judge ended the trial this week stating the family didn't present enough proof.

An East Tennessee district judge said there isn't enough proof to make a ruling in a wrongful death lawsuit against a Knoxville police officer after nearly three years of litigation.

In July 2014, Ronald Carden was shot and killed near his car in West Knoxville. He had stopped to fix a flat tire when an officer stopped to see if he needed any help. Court documents show Carden declined the help and as the KPD officer began to drive away, a license plate check showed the tag was stolen.

Oct. 27, 2015: Autopsy shows man fatally shot in back by KPD officer

Part of the encounter was caught on dash camera video.

The video shows the officer park again, call Carden over in front of the cruiser, and radio in the vehicle's details while beginning to grab Carden's sleeve. That's when Carden throws two hard punches at the officer and both run out of view of the camera. The rest of the encounter is unable to be seen, but can be heard via the officer's microphone.

The footage and audio recorded five rapid-fire shots while the men were apparently wrestling on the ground out of the camera's view.

Aug. 10, 2015: KPD dashcam video released in fatal officer-involved shooting

An autopsy indicated Carden was wounded in six places from five gunshots that were fired from below and behind him, court documents show. One of the shots came at a range of closer than three feet while the remaining shots were fired from three to six feet away.

Carden's son, Brandon Carden, filed a $3 million federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and the police department, claiming Carden "disengaged, stood up, and turned his back" before the bullets fly. Attorney Richard Brooks represents Carden's son and said the autopsy report showed that to be the case.

Judge Thomas Varlan ended the litigation this week stating the family didn't present enough proof. Court documents state Carden's son "could not provide facts supporting essential elements of his claim."

Before You Leave, Check This Out