KSP Trooper cleared in July shooting death of suspect
Channel: Mountain Top News
Date: 2016-09-21

A Pike County Grand Jury refused to indict State Trooper Jonathan Rouse today in the shooting death of John Casey on July 31st.
According to a grand jury report on the incident, Casey’s own actions escalated the events of July 31st to the point where Rouse had no choice but to respond with deadly force. Rouse was attempting to arrest Casey when he fled from the trooper on foot.
When Trooper Rouse found Casey, the report said Casey refused the trooper’s commands to surrender, taunted the trooper and threw a rock, striking the trooper in the head. Casey then reached into his pocket and pulled a shiny object from his pocket.
The report said Rouse feared the object was a weapon and fired a single shot at Casey, striking him in the chest and killing him. The object turned out to be an unopened beer can.
According to the grand jury report, Casey was under the influence of alcohol and a prescription drug at the time. He also had an active warrant for his arrest, which Rouse was attempting to serve.
Pike Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Bartley said Casey’s resisting arrest and his actions and threats against Trooper Rouse ultimately led to his being shot by the trooper. Had he not committed those acts, Bartley said, Casey would likely be alive today.
The grand jury noted in its report that the use of force by Trooper Rouse was reasonable under Kentucky law.