Trials for Two Officers in High-Profile Cases

Two high-profile trials involving police officers are scheduled to take place. In James City County, Officer Michael Trenton Rusk faces charges of aggravated malicious wounding and firearms violations after allegedly shooting his superior, Sgt. Christopher Gibson, claiming self-defense against unwanted advances. Separately, former Fairfax County officer Wesley Shifflett is on trial for involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a weapon after fatally shooting Timothy McCree Johnson, who was unarmed and suspected of shoplifting. Shifflett contends he believed Johnson was reaching for a weapon, though no weapon was found. The Fairfax County Police Department fired Shifflett for not adhering to use-of-force policies, and a special grand jury was convened to secure an indictment after an initial grand jury declined to charge him. Both officers have pleaded not guilty.