Philadelphia officer contests murder charges over fatal shooting during traffic stop
By MARYCLAIRE DALE
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Lawyers for a Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a driver are pressing to have murder and other charges dismissed. Officer Mark Dial appeared in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. Dial is also charged with manslaughter, official oppression and other counts in the Aug. 14 death of 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry. Defense lawyers call the shooting justified and say Dial thought the driver had a gun. Police bodycam footage shows Irizarry holding a knife by his leg. The footage also shows Dial firing his weapon through the driver’s side window about seven seconds after getting out of a police vehicle.