DENVER - A Denver Police officer testified Thursday in his appeal to have his 10-month suspension from duty lifted.
Officer James Turney was suspended last April after he shot and killed 15-year-old Paul Childs in July 2003. Childs, a developmentally disabled boy, lived in northwest Denver.
On Thursday, he talked about the events that led up to the shooting.
Turney said he responded to Childs' home after an emergency call that the boy was threatening his family with a large knife.
When officer Turney arrived at the house, he got everyone out except for Childs. He then asked Childs to come out with this hands raised, officer Turney said.
Childs then proceeded slowly towards the officer holding the knife, according to Turney.
"After giving him the commands to drop the knife, which, which he did not do, he had gotten to the point where, I felt that at any given moment he could have reached out and stabbed me or cut me," said Turney.
Turney said he feared for his life when Childs got too close so he fired at him. Childs was shot four times and died. Turney said that he didn't know at the time that Paul Childs was disabled.
The appeal is being heard by a former appeals court judge and Turney is being cross examined by attorneys for the City of Denver. The appeal can go on for a maximum of nine days.
Once the appeal proceedings are concluded, the judge will have up to 30 days to decide if Turney will remain suspended.
Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman originally recommended a 20-day suspension for Turney. However, Denver City Manager Al LaCabe decided on the final 10-month suspension.
DENVER - A Denver Police officer testified Thursday in his appeal to have his 10-month suspension from duty lifted.