UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A handcuffed man killed by a Prince George’s County Police officer in 2020, had wounds that showed the gun was held directly against his body, according to testimony from a medical expert in court Wednesday.
Former Corporal Michael Owen Jr. is the first officer in county history to be charged with murdering a suspect while on the job. Owen is accused of killing 43-year-old William Green, who after a series of traffic accidents was in handcuffs in the front seat of Owen’s patrol car on Jan. 27, 2020 when Owen allegedly shot him multiple times.
The expert testimony from former DC Medical Examiner Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, who is now a pathologist with Howard University, made for a difficult day in court for Green's family, as they endured graphic medical testimony about the six gunshot wounds investigators found on Green’s body.
Witness video introduced in court as the trial opened showed Green on the ground shortly after being shot.
Dr. Mitchell testified that two of the six bullets that hit Green passed through his heart in the close-quarters shooting. Mitchell said there was evidence that one shot left a “muzzle imprint on the body” and other wounds had gunpowder residue that indicated “near contact” as the gun was repeatedly fired. Mitchell then described the marks left by the handcuffs Green was wearing when he was shot.
On Tuesday, Owen’s defense team had told jurors there is much more to the story. Attorney Thomas Mooney said “evidence will show there was a violent struggle inside the vehicle and that shots ensued as a result of that struggle.” Mooney said Green was high on PCP and alcohol, and said the struggle was so violent that electronic equipment inside the car was left broken.
The trial is expected to take at least two weeks, according to court officials. It comes after years of delays, including a plea agreement that failed as Green’s family objected to allowing him to admit to lesser voluntary manslaughter charges.
Green's family has already won a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit from Prince George's County.
Owen did have several supporters in the courtroom Wednesday, including Terri Barnes.
"Once they’re cross examined the truth is going to come out," Barnes said. "That’s what’s going to happen in this case. We’ve been waiting for this day and here we are."