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Murder charge against police officer who shot motorist Eddie Irizarry dropped

Posted on by angelo
Murder charge against police officer who shot motorist Eddie Irizarry dropped

Authorities have dropped murder charges against a former Philadelphia police officer who fatally shot a man in his car about a year ago.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office on Thursday dropped charges against Mark Dial, 28, in the shooting of Eddie Irizarry, 27, on August 14, 2023, CNN reported. After the charges were dropped, Dial became eligible for bail.

A Common Pleas Court judge had asked for all charges against the former police officer to be reinstated in 2023, which included murder, involuntary manslaughter, official oppression and four other counts after a Philadelphia judge dismissed the case.

The prosecutor’s office dropped the first-degree murder charge Thursday. Dial had previously argued he acted in self-defense in the shooting.

In body camera footage, Irizarry is seen holding a knife near his right leg as an officer approaches his vehicle during the August 2023 traffic stop.

Police body camera video shows Philadelphia police officer Mark Dial with his gun pointed at Eddie Irizarry on August 14, 2023. This week, a judge dropped a murder charge against the officer in the case.
Police body camera video shows Philadelphia police officer Mark Dial with his gun pointed at Eddie Irizarry on August 14, 2023. This week, a judge dropped a murder charge against the officer in the case. (Philadelphia Police Department)

After walking toward the car, Dial fired six shots at Irizarry at close range. Police had previously said Irizarry “lunged” at an officer with a knife, prompting the officer to take action. Police officials later recanted those statements.

Dial’s lawyers had previously asked that the trial be held outside Philadelphia. A judge denied that request, saying there was no evidence the man could not get a fair trial there.

Dial’s murder trial was scheduled for September. A trial on involuntary manslaughter, oppression of authorities and other charges is now scheduled for May 2025.

Kevin O’Brien, an attorney representing Irizarry’s family, told reporters after the case broke that the district attorney’s office could not tell him why the charge was dropped because of a gag order in the case.

“I can tell you this: Whatever the decision is, it’s very frustrating for the family, and it does nothing to deter us from continuing our quest for civil justice across the street at City Hall,” he said.

After the shooting, the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Philadelphia officer responsible for the man’s death.