News

Actions

Trial for former Portsmouth officer charged with murder delayed until March

Posted at 12:10 PM, Dec 22, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-22 12:10:41-05

Portsmouth, Va. – A motions hearing was held Tuesday for Stephen Rankin, the former Portsmouth Police officer facing murder charges for the April 2015 death of 18-year-old William Chapman.

Stephen D. Rankin

Stephen D. Rankin

Rankin was charged with 1st Degree Murder after he shot and killed Chapman during a confrontation in the Portsmouth Walmart parking lot. He was fired from the Portsmouth Police Department on September 3rd. The following day, he was granted a $75,000 bond and released from jail.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the judge granted the defense’s motion to allow their own experts to test a Taser that had come into question recently.

According to the officer’s attorney, the Taser was recording when the confrontation turned into gunfire. However, the crucial few seconds during the shooting are nowhere to be found.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales wrote in a court document that the Taser video was “corrupt” and that the gap in recording was not because the evidence was “edited or manipulated.”

In granting the defense’s motion, the judge also agreed to delay the trail, at the defense attorney’s request, so that the Taser could be properly examined.

The trial was originally scheduled to begin in February. It will now start in March.

RELATED: 

Can 15 seconds of video be the deciding factor in a police officer’s murder case?

Stephen Rankin’s attorney requests independent analysis of taser video, including missing seconds

Judge: Former officer accused of murder will be treated like everyone else

Former Portsmouth officer charged for teen’s murder appears in court for hearing

Trial date for former Portsmouth officer charged with murder set for February

Police shootings increase in Hampton Roads; two ruled crimes

Portsmouth Police Officer charged with murder released from jail on bond

Portsmouth officer accused of killing teen is fired after murder indictment

Lawyer for Portsmouth Officer who shot and killed teen: ‘He is in a tough situation’

Autopsy shows no drugs or alcohol in William Chapman’s body; pockets were turned inside out

Commonwealth’s Attorney to seek indictment against officer involved in William Chapman shooting death

Timeline of the shooting death of William Chapman

Funeral held for teen shot by Portsmouth police officer

Portsmouth Police Chief addresses investigation into recent police shootings

Signs demand murder charges against officer who shot teen in Walmart parking lot