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A Divided U.S. Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of University Of Arizona Police Officer

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the University of Arizona police officer who shot and injured a woman who wielded a knife at her roommate in 2010.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the court decision clearing the officer of criminal charges sends, "An alarming signal to law enforcement and the public."

That warning came Monday after the court found Officer Andrew Kisela immune to criminal charges in the 2010 shooting of Amy Hughes.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich disagreed that the decision sends a signal for police to shoot first and think later.

"I think quite frankly as a state this is something we should be looking at in a broader context of how these cases are being investigated, who's doing the investigating, and to ensure justice is done," he said, then added, "I do think the Supreme Court got it right in that case."

The divided court ruled there was enough evidence to show Hughes' roommate was in imminent danger when Kisela shot and wounded her.

Hughes' attorney said the ruling does not mean the officer is off the hook in the civil suit for permanent injuries, pain and emotional distress.

Holliday Moore was a reporter at KJZZ from 2017 to 2020.