Jury Clears Everett Office of Murder Charges

In another twist of justice, the officer who shot Niles Meservey in his car in June of 2009 is cleared of all charges. At first, it seemed like there was hope when Troy Meade was charged in the shooting death, but then a Snohomish County Jury acquitted him. The press reported heavily on the shooting and the charges, but barely mentioned the acquittal. The fact a Snohomish County jury acquitted this officer is a travesty. That is why no one cares, because even on a jury, residents fail to see the abuse of force used by law enforcement officer in this area on a regular basis.

Meade in October was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. Jurors found him not guilty on both counts.

The 11-year Everett police veteran earlier testified that he was afraid for his life the night he fired eight shots into the back of Meservey's Chevrolet Corvette outside the Chuckwagon Inn.

Meservey, 51, was intoxicated and uncooperative when he drove into a chain link fence. Meade testified that he saw the car's back up lights flash on. He said the car was coming back toward him when he unholstered his gun and began firing.

Meservey was struck seven times from behind. He died in the parking lot.

Meade's testimony often contradicted that of Everett police officer Steven Klocker, an eyewitness to the shooting. Klocker told jurors he didn't believe that anyone was in danger that night. He testified that just before gunfire erupted Meade turned to him and said something like, “enough is enough; time to end this.”

Meade went on to say he didn't want to kill anyone, but then why did he shoot a man who was already tased and unarmed (yes I know a car can be deadly) eight times (only hitting him 7 of those 8). Did he really think the car that moved forward into a fence would then swerve sideways and kill him somehow. I don't see how the tased man or the car was any real threat. And beyond that, what do you expect when you tase a drunk who has his foot on the gas?

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