NY state determines officers who shot Christopher Murphy were ‘legally justified’
Leanne Rivera | Staff Photographer
The state found no basis for pursuing criminal charges against Officers John Canestrare and Michael Jensen. OSI concluded a prosecutor couldn’t prove that Canestrare’s use of deadly physical force was unreasonable under the circumstances.
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Content warning: This article contains mentions of gun violence.
The two Syracuse police officers responsible for killing Christopher Murphy were determined “legally justified” in their actions following a report from the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Wednesday evening.
The report, which came eight months after the incident, included a review of body-worn camera footage, a legal analysis and a ballistics analysis. It found no basis for pursuing criminal charges against Officers John Canestrare and Michael Jensen. OSI concluded a prosecutor couldn’t prove that Canestrare’s use of deadly physical force was unreasonable under the circumstances.
Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock, the two officers killed in the incident, were dispatched to Murphy’s home on Darien Drive following a traffic violation earlier that evening.
Upon arrival, officers found a car in the driveway with two high-capacity ammunition clips, according to the report. The officers heard a firearm being racked inside the house and took cover. Murphy emerged and fired multiple rounds from a semiautomatic rifle at Hoosock, who did not return fire and sustained a fatal wound to the head.
Murphy then went into the street and continued firing at Jensen, who returned fire and suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Canestrare, who arrived at the scene after the first two officers, then shot Murphy.
Hoosock, Jensen and Murphy were transported to Upstate University Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to the report, Canestrare witnessed Murphy shooting at Jensen when he first fired his weapon. Even after Murphy fell to the ground, he continued to hold his rifle and fire. The report says Canestrare, fearing for his own life and the lives of others, fired at Murphy to stop him from shooting.
Under New York state’s justification law, an officer is permitted to use deadly physical force when they reasonably believe it’s necessary to defend themselves from someone using deadly force.
The report officially concludes the state’s investigation of the incident.
Published on December 11, 2024 at 11:44 pm
Contact Delia: dsrangel@syr.edu
