UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A Prince George’s County jury is poised to decide the fate of the first police officer in county history to be charged with murdering a suspect after prosecutors claimed Tuesday that the victim was shot because he urinated while in custody in a police car.
Prince George's County police Cpl. Michael Owen Jr. is accused of shooting 43-year-old William Green to death after Green was arrested and put in handcuffs during a January 2020 investigation of a series of vehicle collisions.
Prosecutor Jason Abbott told Judge Michael Pearson that the conflict started when Green, under the influence of PCP and in handcuffs behind his back, began complaining he had to urinate after being in custody in the front seat of Cpl. Owen's police car for up to a half hour.
According to Abbott, when Green relieved himself while sitting in the car, Owen killed him.
“There is urine in the car and as a result, he shot Mr. Green," Abbott said.
The revelation came while lawyers argued over a defense demand to dismiss a second-degree murder charge because they said prosecutors failed to prove Owen had any "malice or forethought" before pulling the trigger.
Malice and forethought are key elements to sustain a second-degree murder conviction.
Monday, Owen took the stand in his defense. He said he fired in self-defense after Green began violently thrashing in the car, causing Owen’s gun to come out of its holster. Owen said Green got his hands on the gun despite being cuffed behind his back. After a shot was fired during the struggle, Owen said he gained control of the gun and fired at Green to stop him.
Green was hit by six bullets.
A police use of force expert testifying for the defense Tuesday said the shooting was justified.
"If the account given by Cpl. Owen is accurate, this is consistent with police use of force training”, Emanuel Kapelsohn testified.
The prosecution’s expert, former FBI agent Dr. Tyrone Power, testified he found no evidence to support the claim of a fight in the car.
“There’s no evidence his life was in danger," Power said. "He shouldn’t have used deadly force at all.”
Pearson decided to let the murder charge stand, which throws Owen’s fate to the jury that has been hearing evidence since November 28.
The final arguments and jury deliberations are expected tomorrow.
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