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Family of slain suspected PS3 thief to receive $2.45 million settlement
It's been more than a year since the accidental shooting of 18-year-old Peyton Strickland by Cpl. Christopher Long, a deputy of New Hanover County, N.C., during a raid of Strickland's rented home in early December, 2006. The sheriff's Emergency Response Team was serving a warrant for Strickland's arrest in connection with his suspected involvement in two PS3's being stolen from a University of North Carolina Wilmington student. Long mistook the sounds of his own team using a battering ram for gunshots, and opened fire on the unarmed teenager.Long was not charged with a crime, but the Strickland family recently received a small amount of closure on the matter -- a $2.45 million settlement from New Hanover County, and a public apology from Sheriff Sid Causey, who admitted that Long "made a mistake as to the existence of a deadly threat".The Strickland family will put the $2.45 million into a charitable foundation to provide need-based scholarships and other grants. "The Stricklands were not interested in money," said Strickland family representative Joyce Fitzpatrick. "That cannot bring their son back."
PS3 shooting case is still open, says DA
Despite a grand jury dismissal of murder charges earlier this week, New Hanover County Cpl. Christopher Long could still be retried over the shooting of a suspected PS3 thief. New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David told North Carolina's WCNC that the investigation against Long is continuing and that a new grand jury convening next month could decide to bring charges against him.Long's attorney argued that in the absence of any new evidence, the court should not second-guess the determination of the original grand jury. He also insisted Long be allowed to testify to any future grand jury, a privilege he was not allowed during the first trial.Also see: Deputy charged with second degree murder
North Carolina deputy kills suspected PS3 thief and his dog [update 2]
A New Hanover County sheriff's deputy Friday night shot and killed a man suspected in an armed robbery of two PlayStation 3 consoles. Peyton Strickland, 18, was killed inside his rented home while unarmed, claimed one of his roommates. Authorities were serving a warrant for Strickland's arrest in connection with his suspected involvement in the theft of two PS3s from a University of North Carolina Wilmington student on November 17. A deputy also shot and killed Strickland's German shepherd outside the home.Investigators are currently reviewing the conduct of all officers involved in the tragic incident. "No one's above the law. If there's any criminal conduct that can be established, I'm not going to hesitate to treat them as any other defendant," vowed District Attorney Ben David.Update 1: Deputy charged with 2nd degree murder for slaying of suspected PS3 thiefUpdate 2: Murder charged dropped against deputy who shot suspected PS3 thief
