By Associated Press - Monday, October 22, 2018

DETROIT (AP) - A jury has been selected in the case of a Detroit teenager who crashed an all-terrain vehicle and died after being struck by a state trooper’s Taser.

Mark Bessner is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Damon Grimes. Investigators say Bessner fired his Taser at Grimes from a moving patrol car in August 2017.

A jury was picked Monday in Wayne County court. Opening statements are expected Tuesday.



Bessner quit the state police shortly after Grimes’ death. Prosecutor Kym Worthy says he created a “very high risk of death.” State police officials described his actions as criminal.

Bessner’s lawyer says he was forced to make a split-second decision when Grimes refused to stop the ATV.

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