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Jurors Continue Deliberation in Norfolk Police Shooting Case

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NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Jurors have adjourned for the day in the manslaughter trial of a white police officer charged with fatally shooting a mentally ill black man holding a knife.

The jury deliberated for about 3  1/2 hours Wednesday and will continue deliberating Thursday in the case against Norfolk officer Michael Edington. He is charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter in the 2014 shooting death of David Latham. He faces one to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors argued that Latham held the knife at his side without advancing toward Edington. The officer shot him several times.

According to news outlets, Edington testified that Latham threatened violence, moved the knife and made a small step as if to attack.   

Latham suffered from schizophrenia. His family called 911 after he grabbed a knife during an argument.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.