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Citizens Review Board Disagrees With CMPD On Franklin Shooting Case

LEGACY.COM/CMPD

Charlotte’s Citizens Review Board says it disagrees with Police Chief Kerr Putney’s decision not to discipline an officer in the fatal shooting of Danquirs Franklin last year.

The Charlotte Observer reports the board’s vote last night was unanimous — and is only the second time in its 23-year history that it’s disagreed with the department. According to the paper, board chair Tonya Jameson said after the vote that “(The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department) clearly erred in finding the Franklin shooting justified.”

Following an internal review by the department, officer Wende Kerl returned to fully duty in November.Kerl, who is white, shot Franklin, who was black, last March in the parking lot of a Burger King on Beatties Ford Road while responding to a 911 call about a man with a gun.

Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweatherfound Kerl was justified in the shooting. The Citizens Review Board does not override decisions by the police department or the DA in the case.

The review board reviews allegations of police misconduct.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police issued the following statement in response to the ruling: "The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police is disappointed by the decision made by the Citizens Review Board of the March 25, 2019 officer-involved shooting. Officer Wende Kerl was cleared by the Mecklenburg District Attorney's Office, and was cleared by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Officer Kerl's actions were justified and in accordance with North Carolina law and department policy. We will continue to support Officer Kerl through this process."

Marshall came to WFAE after graduating from Appalachian State University, where he worked at the campus radio station and earned a degree in communication. Outside of radio, he loves listening to music and going to see bands - preferably in small, dingy clubs.