TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of a Charlotte, North Carolina police officer accused of killing a former FAMU football player.
Jonathan Ferrell was killed in 2013 in a Charlotte neighborhood after officers responded to a call of a hysterical man at a woman's door.
According to court documents, when officers arrived, they located Ferrell and that's when police say he ran towards the officers.
One officer tried to taze him, then Officer Randall Kerrick shot Ferrell 10 times, hitting him in the chest and arms.
Willie Ferrell, Jonathan's brother, says he was in the neighborhood because he crashed his car after possibly dozing off at the wheel and needed help.
"Jonathan was at work and he dropped a friend off. He worked two jobs that day and went to school. after that he was tired and fell asleep after dropping the person off," said Ferrell.
Court documents reveal that Ferrell did in fact advance towards the officers when they arrived. However, records also say that Kerrick used excessive force violating written police department regulations.
The family says they have to stay strong during the trial, no matter the outcome.
Willie Ferrell explained. "A lot of things we hear..we will hear..we can't let phase us. Let it bounce off our shoulders. Stay focused and keep the faith that we have always had."
If convicted, Kerrick could face up to 5 years in prison. More than 300 people are expected to show up for jury duty on Monday and jurors will be individually questioned.
