Key ruling clears path to trial in teen's death by cop

CHARLOTTE, Mich. (AP) - The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by an Eaton County sheriff's officer has won a key ruling in a lawsuit.

Federal Judge Paul Maloney dismissed some parts of the case last Friday but said claims of excessive force can go to trial.

Sgt. Jonathan Frost shot 17-year-old Deven Guilford seven times during a traffic stop in 2015. The officer had stopped Guilford for flashing his high-beam headlights at him.

Guilford refused to give his driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. Frost declined to reveal his badge number.

Frost says he was being punched by Guilford and feared for his life.

But the judge says there are inconsistencies between the evidence and Frost's version of events. Maloney says some of what Frost said seems "almost inconceivable."

Published: Tue, Aug 22, 2017