Blackwell Officer Indicted For Manslaughter Case To Go To Trial

A judge ruled Wednesday that the manslaughter case against a Blackwell police officer has enough evidence to stand trial.

The case has drawn strong reactions, but now a jury is set to ultimately decide if the officer acted within the law.

Blackwell Lt. John Mitchell was indicted after an officer-involved shooting in May.

Documents show he fired approximately 60 rounds, while driving, at Micheal Godsey's car.

Another Blackwell officer and Godsey exchanged fire earlier in the incident, but only Mitchell was indicted.

Godsey died as a result of the gunfire.

The district attorney argued that Mitchell's actions didn't fall under justifiable deadly force.

The DA compared Mitchell to his fellow officers who did not fire when he did. 

Defense Attorney Gary James argued there was not enough forensic evidence to determine which bullet killed Godsey, or whether she was shooting back.

James said should his client go to trial; he’ll include information the court hasn’t seen yet.

However, James said he plans to file a motion to quash the judge’s decision to move to trial.

“He’s a strong man. He’s a man of faith. He believes what he did was necessary along with, I would say, hundreds of thousands of people believe it was necessary,” James said of his client.

The Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police is continuing its support of Mitchell.

Mitchell’s arraignment is set for March 18 in front of a Kay County judge.

A judge ruled Wednesday that the manslaughter case against a Blackwell police officer has enough evidence to stand trial.

The case has drawn strong reactions, but now a jury is set to ultimately decide if the officer acted within the law.

Blackwell Lt. John Mitchell was indicted after an officer-involved shooting in May.

Documents show he fired approximately 60 rounds, while driving, at Micheal Godsey's car.

Another Blackwell officer and Godsey exchanged fire earlier in the incident, but only Mitchell was indicted.

Godsey died as a result of the gunfire.

The district attorney argued that Mitchell's actions didn't fall under justifiable deadly force.

The DA compared Mitchell to his fellow officers who did not fire when he did. 

Defense Attorney Gary James argued there was not enough forensic evidence to determine which bullet killed Godsey, or whether she was shooting back.

James said should his client go to trial; he’ll include information the court hasn’t seen yet.

However, James said he plans to file a motion to quash the judge’s decision to move to trial.

“He’s a strong man. He’s a man of faith. He believes what he did was necessary along with, I would say, hundreds of thousands of people believe it was necessary,” James said of his client.

The Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police is continuing its support of Mitchell.

Mitchell’s arraignment is set for March 18 in front of a Kay County judge.