Jury rejects claims by Menezes police

Dec 12 2008 by James Cartledge, Birmingham Mail

A JURY today rejected the police account of the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes on July 22, 2005 as the Brazilian’s inquest was branded a “white-wash” by his family.

After returning an open verdict, the 10 jurors rejected a string of claims made by officers about the events leading up to Mr de Menezes being killed.

In a damning indictment, they dismissed claims by firearms officer C12 that he shouted “armed police” before opening fire.

The jury also disputed that 27-year-old Mr de Menezes had walked towards officers before he was killed. The jurors said that six police failings caused or contributed to the innocent man’s death.