Michael Newby Trial Continues: Black Teen Interrupted Louisville Police Sting

A black teen fatally shot by a white narcotics detective, sparking weeks of protests, wasn't the dealer the officer had arranged to meet for an undercover drug buy, witnesses said Friday at the officer's murder trial. On Jan. 3, officers were waiting near a liquor store for a dealer whom narcotics Detective McKenzie Mattingly had contacted by phone that night. While Mattingly sat in an undercover vehicle, he was approached by Michael Newby, 19, and two other men who wanted to sell him crack, witnesses said.  Minutes later, Newby was shot three times in the back; he died at a hospital the next morning.  Mattingly's attorneys have argued Newby made a gesture that signaled he was reaching for a weapon. Prosecutors, however, said Mattingly never mentioned Newby had a gun, and officers didn't know Newby was armed until after he was shot. Kyle Willet, a detective who worked undercover with Mattingly, said his partner was "pale-faced, somewhat distraught and wide-eyed" after the shooting. The detective put his hands on top of his head and said "Oh my God," Mitch Gibson testified. The trial is expected to last another week. [more ]

• Mattingly Supporters Say Protestors Have Tainted Jury Pool [more ]