New video footage appears to show Utah cop shooting handcuffed man in the back

2016-01-11 7

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah prosecutors are re-examining the death of a man fatally shot by a police officer after new video footage of the incident emerged.

Officer Matthew Taylor was exonerated in February last year over the killing of James Barker, 42, in Salt Lake City, saying he acted in self-defense.

But enhanced video footage, filmed by a neighbor, appears to capture the sound of gunshots after Barker was already handcuffed, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The incident began on Jan. 8 last year when Officer Taylor responded to a report of a man with a shovel knocking on doors, offering to remove snow for money, Salt Lake City CBS affiliate KUTV reported.

Police bodycam footage showed a confrontation quickly developed when Barker refused to give the officer his name.

Taylor said he feared for his life when Barker began hitting him with the shovel, knocking his Taser out of his hand, the Deseret News reported in February last year.

The bodycam cut out at this point.

Police said Taylor, who suffered fractures to his arm and foot in the incident, shot Barker after he tried to grab his gun, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Reports at the time said the officer shot Barker three times in the chest, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Investigators must now decide if the sounds on the video are gunshots to determine if Taylor in fact shot Barker in the back while he was already handcuffed.

Salt Lake City District Attorney Sam Gill said on Friday he would re-examine the shooting after watching the new footage, NBC News reported. Officer Taylor was also placed on leave, according to Utah's Fox 13.

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