CONROE, Texas (AP) — A Houston-area police officer has been sentenced to five years of probation for the fatal, off-duty shooting of a 19-year-old suspected of shoplifting.
The punishment of Conroe Sgt. Jason Blackwelder was issued Wednesday, a day after he was convicted of manslaughter in the July death of Russell Rios. A Montgomery County jury recommended the punishment, and Judge K. Michael Mayes agreed.
The 30-year-old Blackwelder had faced up to 20 years in prison.
Blackwelder was with his wife when theft prevention authorities at a Wal-Mart began pursuing Rios. The officer, who was not in uniform, joined the chase into some woods.
Blackwelder has said he opened fire in self-defense after Rios was choking him while trying to flee. The teen was not armed.
Prosecutors say Blackwelder acted in a reckless manner.
