Virginia Police Officer Not Liable in Shooting Death

A federal court jury ruled in favor of a Portsmouth police officer, finding that he acted within the scope of his duties when he shot and killed a man last year in Olde Towne.

March 2, 2012

NORFOLK, Va. -- A federal court jury ruled in favor of a Portsmouth police officer, finding that he acted within the scope of his duties when he shot and killed a man last year in Olde Towne.

The jury returned its verdict in favor of Officer Stephen D. Rankin late Thursday after hearing three days of testimony.

Rankin said at the trial that he shot at Kirill Denyakin in April last year because he felt threated as Denyakin charged at him and refused to take his hand out of his pants. Denyakin died at the scene.

Denyakin's family accused Rankin of using excessive force.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service