PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) — Jurors have found a former Mattawan police officer who opened fire on a fleeing stolen car not guilty of misdemeanor reckless use of a firearm.
Chelsey Omilian burst into tears as the verdict was read in a Paw Paw courtroom Friday afternoon. The jury had deliberated less than two hours.
"I’m thankful for a complete and thorough investigation and I’m thankful they came to the right verdict and realized that I was only trying to protect myself and the public that day," Omilian told 24 Hour News 8 after the verdict was handed down.
She said she felt vindicated.
"I do, completely," she said. "And I just want to continue to help people still. I've got to figure out how to do that, but I’m going to continue to help people.
The prosecution had argued she was reckless when she opened fire on a stolen car in November 2017, shooting the back of it five times. But the defense argued Omilian was faced with a split-second decision and was justified in defending herself and others.