Kerrick’s attorneys want dead man’s shoes and pawn records

Before jury selection begins Monday for the manslaughter trial of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Wes Kerrick, his defense team wants police to produce two unusual pieces of potential evidence: the shoes of Jonathan Ferrell who Kerrick shot Sept. 14, 2013, and any pawn records police can find in Ferrell’s name.

Wednesday, an attorney for the city formally asked the trial judge to block both subpoenas.

Kerrick was arrested the day he shot Ferrell 10 times during an early morning confrontation east of Charlotte. Ferrell had wrecked his car and had knocked loudly on the door of a nearby home. The woman inside called 911. Friends and family say Ferrell went to the home for help. Kerrick’s defense team has said in court documents that Ferrell tried to rob it. The request for pawn information appears to be related to that allegation.

Senior Assistant City Attorney Judith Emken has asked Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin to block both defense moves. Among her arguments – that the attorney general’s office, not police, control the evidence in the case.

Defense attorney George Laughrun said Kerrick is entitled to all evidence that “supports our client’s innocence.”

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Kerrick’s attorneys want dead man’s shoes and pawn records."