Kansas police officer to face new trial next month

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) – A former Kansas police officer accused of shooting a man to death five years ago while on duty will face a new trial next month after his first trial ended in mistrial.

Prosecutors tell the Kansas City Star that Matthew Harrington’s new trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge will begin June 6.

Last month, a mistrial was declared in his first trial after a jury in Leavenworth could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Harrington is charged in the July 2017 shooting of 47-year-old Antonio Garcia Jr. as Garcia sat inside a vehicle in Leavenworth. Prosecutors say Garcia had a knife but didn’t threaten Harrington.

Harrington was fired from the Leavenworth force after a department investigation found he had violated policies on use of deadly force.