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police constable has been charged with the murder of former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson, who died after being Tasered near his father’s home in 2016.
The 48-year-old was Tasered in the street where he grew up in Telford, Shropshire, after West Mercia Police were called to an incident on August 15 that year.
Paramedics and doctors were unable to revive Atkinson, despite administering CPR on him for more than an hour after he was taken to hospital.
His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, including former Aston Villa stars Ian Taylor and Tommy Johnson and scores of fans, at Telford crematorium. Jenny Hopkins, from the CPS, said in a statement: “Following the death of Dalian Atkinson in Telford on 15 August 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised a charge of murder against a West Mercia police constable. A second police constable, from the same force, has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH). Mr Atkinson’s family has been informed.“This decision was made following a careful review of all the evidence presented to us by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following an investigation.
“Criminal proceedings against the two police officers are now active and they have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”The officers will appear at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday afternoon after an appearance at the City’s magistrates’ court.
Speaking on behalf of the family of Atkinson, solicitor Kate Maynard, of Hickman and Rose, said: “Dalian’s family welcomes the decision to put the conduct of police officers before a jury but regrets that already more than three years have passed since Dalian died.
“They ask for their privacy to be respected and press for the criminal proceedings to progress without delay or obstruction.”Related... Two Police Officers Could Face Criminal Charges For The Fatal Tasering Of Aston Villa Star Dalian Atkinson Dalian Atkinson Taser Death Inquest To Open Dalian Atkinson's Family 'Determined To Get Justice For Him' As Police Face Criminal Probe Dalian Atkinson's Family 'Determined To Get Justice For Him' As Police Face Criminal Probe