Jurors told where Meade was standing during shooting

Published 12:59 pm Tuesday, April 20, 2010

EVERETT – A Snohomish County jury this morning got its first look at where investigators believe Everett police officer Troy Meade was standing when he fired into the back of a Corvette, killing Niles Meservey.

Washington State Patrol detective Donald Cunningham testified about how he measured the path of bullets and used computer programs to pinpoint Meade’s alleged position when he opened fire.

Cunningham said he concluded that Meade was about 3½ feet to the left of the Corvette and about 3½ feet behind the car. Cunningham told jurors that the shooter could have been closer or farther, but if he was, bullet trajectory indicates he would have been holding his .40-caliber Glock either above his shoulder or below his belt.

That isn’t likely since four of the bullets were clustered within inches of each other, Cunningham said.

Meade fired eight times into the back of the car. All but one bullet struck Meservey. Prosecutors allege that Meade was not in danger of being run down and not justified in shooting Meservey. Meade is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. If convicted of murder, he faces up to 18 years in prison.

Meade is expected to testify later this week that he feared for his life when he fired.

Cunningham is expected to return to the stand this afternoon. Much of his testimony this morning focused on the mathematics behind his calculations and how he could draw conclusions based on those measurements.

Many jurors took notes as Cunningham explained how he used the measurements, which were taken while investigators examined bullet holes in the driver’s seat of the Corvette. The angles of the bullet paths and the bullets recovered in the car helped him pinpoint the officer’s location, Cunningham said.

Prosecutors could wrap up their case later today.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.