Ex-cop charged in killing friend: Thought gun wasn't loaded

[SecularMotion]

WOODBURY, N.J. (AP) - A former southern New Jersey police officer charged in the shooting death of a friend testified that he thought the gun that fired the fatal bullet wasn't loaded.

James Stuart made the comments Thursday during his trial on charges of murder and manslaughter in the January 2013 death of David Compton. The 27-year-old Compton was shot once in the face as the men watched a movie at Stuart's house.

The former Deptford police officer testified that Compton came to his home after they were at a bar and that Compton asked to look at Stuart's off-duty weapon while they were watching a movie. Stuart said he took out the gun's magazine and removed a live round and did the same with two other guns that he retrieved from a safe.

"I was going to dry fire the gun at the television," Stuart said. "I started to pull back the trigger, and I heard Dave start to speak. When I turned to look at him, I guess my hand turned with me. I heard a loud boom."

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20150924_ap_4355eb7c04064f56b059121e211039e9.html