Jury finds Officer Grant Morrison justified in killing of unarmed Montana man

Sidebar:  I wondered why Officer Grant Morrison brokedown after shooting an unarmed suspect?  Then I saw the deceased's picture.  Enough said.

Wait, I saw the video cam from Officer Grant Morrison's patrol car.  His attitude was much different. Hmm.  Why didn't Officer Morrison wait for back up?

Officer Grant Morrison

Richard Ramirez

From WSBTV.com

A jury at a coroner's inquest determined Wednesday that a Montana police officer was justified in shooting and killing an unarmed man high on methamphetamine during a traffic stop. 

The ruling came after Billings Police Officer Grant Morrison testified he feared for his life when he fired the three shots that killed 38-year-old Richard Ramirez.

The five-year police veteran said he became convinced that Ramirez had a gu

n after the man reached for his waistband during their 30-second encounter last April in a high-crime area of Montana's most populous city. 

"I knew in that moment, which later was determined to be untrue, but I knew in that moment that he was reaching for a gun," Morrison said. "I couldn't take that risk. ... I wanted to see my son grow up."

The ruling came after Billings Police Officer Grant Morrison testified he feared for his life when he fired the three shots that killed 38-year-old Richard Ramirez. 

The five-year police veteran said he became convinced that Ramirez had a gun after the man reached for his waistband during their 30-second encounter last April in a high-crime area of Montana's most populous city. 

"I knew in that moment, which later was determined to be untrue, but I knew in that moment that he was reaching for a gun," Morrison said. "I couldn't take that risk. ... I wanted to see my son grow up." 

The seven-person jury deliberated about an hour before delivering its decision.Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said he does not expect to file any charges given the jury's decision. 

Coroner's inquests are mandatory under Montana law whenever someone is killed by law enforcement or dies in custody.