A former Farmers Branch police officer has been acquitted of murder for the 2019 shooting death of a man in Northwest Dallas. The officer, Michael Dunn, had opened fire on Juan Moreno, who was behind the wheel of a stolen pickup truck, FOX 4 News reported.
Dunn, who had the choice to opt for either a bench or jury trial, chose to be tried by a judge. In a verdict delivered on Wednesday, the judge found Dunn not guilty. In his defense, Dunn claimed he felt his life was in danger as Moreno drove the vehicle toward him, prompting him to use lethal force. As the events unfolded, the police were attempting to apprehend Moreno for suspected auto theft when he allegedly ignored commands and tried to flee the scene, according to authorities.
The trial proceedings began earlier this week, with Dunn facing scrutiny over the decision to shoot Moreno, an act captured by nearby security cameras. These recordings appear to contradict Dunn's insistence that he was in immediate danger, as they show the truck moving away from Dunn at the time of the shooting. Fellow officers took the stand on Monday to describe the sting operation that ultimately escalated into a deadly confrontation, as recounted by Hoodline.
The case has also spurred Moreno's family to file a legal action against the city of Farmers Branch, alleging that the police department's training was inadequate. In their defense, Dunn's attorneys insisted that their client had to make a split-second decision and resorted to gunfire as he perceived an imminent threat to his life. During the trial, testimony by Dr. Tracy Dyer revealed that Moreno had a considerable level of methamphetamine in his system when he died.
