GreenWood Police Officer who Gunned Down Black Man in his Driveway Indicted
A former Greenwood police officer accused of fatally shooting a man during a confrontation in his driveway was indicted by a Caddo grand jury Wednesday on a charge of manslaughter. Donny Aaron, who testified before the grand jury, said he fired in self-defense after Ronald Jamison went for a gun. The grand jury rejected that argument, saying the shooting was done in the heat of passion. Aaron, 29, was arrested in February on a charge of second-degree murder. The lesser charge of manslaughter carries up to 40 years in prison, if convicted. The shooting happened shortly after Aaron arrived at his home for lunch. He told police that a car was parked in his circular driveway near the front door. He followed Jamison a short distance down the street, Jamison pulled over, there was an exchange of words and Jamison was shot a half-dozen times. Defense attorney Peter Flowers said that there had been a series of burglaries in the neighborhood and that his client felt Jamison was going for a gun after being caught casing Aaron's house. "I think he frightened Donny into thinking he had to defend himself," Flowers said. "In that millisecond, the question was, what do you do: wait for the muzzle flash or shoot first? It all happened just that fast." Prosecutors said that Jamison didn't have a gun and that there was no indication of a break-in at Aaron's house. "There is no evidence of any crime committed by Mr. Jamison," Assistant District Attorney Steve Waller said. Aaron resigned from the Greenwood Police Department three years ago after a domestic violence incident involving his wife. He is free on bond while awaiting trial. [more]