Wash. officer pleads not guilty to manslaughter

An Everett police officer charged with manslaughter for shooting a drunken driving suspect has pleaded not guilty in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The Everett Herald reports Officer Troy Meade remained free without bail after Thursday's plea, under orders not to leave the state or possess weapons.

Prosecutors say he was not justified in shooting Niles Meservey of Stanwood last June in the parking lot of a restaurant.

Other customers reported Meservey was intoxicated. Investigators believe Meade was attempting to prevent him from driving away in his Corvette.

Meservey had been shocked with a stun gun and had rammed a chain-link fence when Meade fired through the rear window, hitting him seven times.

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Information from: The Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com