A Dallas County jury acquitted Officer Michael Reynolds of all charges on Friday, ending a two-week trial that had drawn intense scrutiny over the use of deadly force by police against unarmed Black men. Reynolds, 34, was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the 2024 shooting of Darius Williams, 28.
Prosecutors argued that Reynolds had escalated a routine traffic stop into a deadly confrontation, using a Taser on Williams before shooting him when he attempted to flee. The defense maintained that Reynolds feared for his life when Williams reached toward his waistband, believing he was reaching for a weapon.
"Officer Reynolds followed his training and the law in a split-second situation," defense attorney Mark Thompson said outside the courthouse. "The jury's verdict reflects the reality that officers must make decisions in dangerous circumstances without the benefit of hindsight."
Williams's family and their attorney expressed devastation at the verdict. "Darius Williams was a father, a son, and a brother, and his life mattered," said attorney Jasmine Cole. "We will continue to explore all legal options on behalf of his family."
The Dallas Police Department has fired Reynolds, and the FBI has opened a separate investigation into potential civil rights violations. The Justice Department announced it would review the case to determine whether federal civil rights charges are appropriate.