https://www.azfamily.com/news/mesa-o...79118a3d7.html
On Dec. 6, officers were called out to Ojos Locos Sports Cantina on Alma School Road, just south of the U.S. 60, because 45-year-old Randy Sewell and his coworkers were drunk and wouldn't leave, investigators said. Sewell, who is 6'1" and 375 pounds, allegedly ignored commands from police.
Officers said Sewell wouldn't say his name and pushed an officer and that's when they tried to take him into custody by using a stun gun, an attempted takedown and hitting him. There was then a struggle between Sewell and Officer Chisler and during that struggle, Officer Chisler shot him. Sewell didn't have any weapons on him.
Court paperwork said Chisler admitted to fire his gun because he feared for his life and his fellow police officers at the time.
This article does not mention it, but a link to an earlier article (https://www.azfamily.com/news/mesa-o...655bf6022.html) indicates that at some point during the struggle Sewell grabbed a metal light pole:
Officers tried to get him to the ground but couldn't. He's 6'1" and weighs about 375 pounds. A TASER was deployed but didn't work, police said. Officers tried to get control of his arms but Sewell then grabbed a metal light pole. That's when an officer "feared for the other officers' safety" and shot Sewell in the left lower back area, police said.
The case was not submitted to the Grand Jury, but instead filed by direct complaint. The Mesa Police Association's response:
Today, Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel filed criminal charges against a member of the Mesa Police Association. Typically, these cases are first reviewed by a grand jury before charges are filed. We are disappointed Ms. Adel chose to circumvent that process and we vehemently disagree with her decision. We respect due process – one that’s free from political influence – for all people.