Prosecutors are planning to retry a former Phoenix police officer after the jury in his first trial was unable to reach verdicts on second-degree murder and animal cruelty charges.
Maricopa County prosecutor Juan Martinez told a judge today his office will retry Richard Chrisman on the two counts. Chrisman was convicted of aggravated assault, but his sentencing on that charge was delayed Friday.
Chrisman was charged after fatally shooting 29-year-old Danny Rodriguez and his dog during a domestic violence call in 2010. Chrisman’s partner testified against him, saying Rodriguez was not a threat when Chrisman shot him. Chrisman maintains he only fired after Rodriguez tried to kill him.
The nine year police veteran was later fired. He could face up to 15 years in prison on the aggravated assault conviction.