Officer Who Fatally Shot Rekia Boyd to Stand Trial

The Chicago police detective responsible for the death of Rekia Boyd is set to stand trial next month, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Dante Servin claimed that he feared for his life the night he shot into a crowd of four people, killing Boyd. Cook County prosecutors disagreed and argued that Servin acted recklessly when he shot his gun over his left shoulder on March 21, 2012, striking Boyd, 22, in the back of her head.

Servin was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a firearm, along with reckless conduct, last November. He was placed on paid desk duty and was stripped of his police powers.

The city of Chicago paid $4.5 million to settle the wrongful-death suit filed by Boyd’s family.

Servin faces up to five years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. His attorney, Thomas Brandstrader, is confident that Servin will be acquitted of all charges.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.