"The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers." Part 4

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Game warden pleads not guilty in death [emphasis mine]:

A game warden who fatally shot a 16-year-old Greene County teen during a January traffic stop pleaded not guilty Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter.

[…]

As the result of a defense subpoena, Ramirez [the teen’s mother] had been required to appear in court and turn over her son’s writings, including any diaries, journals or letters. A stack of notebooks and other papers presented to Judge Daniel R. Bouton will remain sealed, along with any medical records turned over before trial.

Cochran’s psychiatric history will likely take center stage as the case moves forward. Ham’s lawyers are requesting Cochran’s medical records in hopes of gaining further insight into the teen’s thinking the night of the shooting.

Court filings indicate the defense is looking for evidence that Cochran was suicidal, perhaps homicidal, when he and Ham crossed paths Jan. 24.

“It is our understanding and belief that Mr. Cochran was . . . very disturbed,” defense attorney Steven D. Benjamin said.

Two weeks before the shooting, Benjamin said, Cochran underwent a psychiatric evaluation after threatening to kill former classmates at William Monroe High School and members of his girlfriend’s family.

The night of the shooting, Ham, whose duties include law enforcement, was assisting sheriff’s deputies who were looking for Cochran in connection with the disappearance of his girlfriend, Chelsea Walker.

Authorities spotted a 1995 Chrysler with Walker in the passenger seat near the entrance to the Woodridge subdivision.

According to the defense, Ham approached the car but Cochran drove forward and struck the 24-year-old game warden, throwing him onto the hood and continuing through the intersection.

Benjamin said his client fired at Cochran only after unsuccessfully warning the teen to stop the car.

[…]

Ham, who faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted, has requested a jury trial.

What the hell? A game warden kills some asshole that tried to run him over and he is charged with voluntary manslaughter? The asshole was a nut that the police had thought had kidnapped his girlfriend, he tried to run over a game warden, and the game warden is charged?

Who the hell is this Commonwealth’s Attorney? I would love see his reaction after someone tried to run him over.