Pennsylvania father Donald Meyer Jr, 60, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of his daughter on Friday
A Pennsylvania man has been found guilty of killing his 12-year-old daughter after he aimed his gun at a constable, leading the officer to open fire, but the bullet hit his daughter.
The horrific incident took place on January 11, 2016 when 60-year-old Donald Meyer Jr of Duncannon was being evicted from his home.
Angry, Meyer pointed a loaded AR-15 rifle at the Constable Clark Steele who tried to kick him out, according to Perry County authorities.
That incited the officer to fire a single shot that went through Meyer’s arm and killed his daughter Ciara Meyer, 12, who was standing behind him.
The bullet fatally struck her in the chest, according to Fox News.
A jury deliberated for two and a half hours on Friday before finding Meyer guilty of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and other counts.
Meyer (left) was being evicted from his home when he pointed gun at Constable Clark Steele and the officer opened fire and the bullet passed through Meyer’s arm and fatally hit his 12-year-old daughter Ciara Meyer (right)
On Friday Meyer was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the killing of his daughter in the January 11, 2016 incident, Ciara pictured right
District Attorney Andrew Bender told jurors in final arguments that Meyer didn’t pull the trigger but was responsible.
‘Parents are supposed to protect their children. Not put them in harm’s way,’ he said, according to PennLive.com.
The confrontation was recorded by property manager Ashley Hill on her cellphone about 20ft away.
She testified in court that the child stepped up behind her father.
‘Ciara kept saying, “Dad, stop. Dad, stop,”‘ Hill recalled, dabbing tears from her eyes.
She said Meyer had many anti-government views and ‘thought everyone was against him.’
Meyer appeared in court in a wheelchair, recovering from a stroke earlier this week
Meyers pictured leaving Perry County Courthouse after his arraignment after his daughter was accidentally shot when a constable served him eviction papers
Meyer’s defense attorney said Meyer feared that his home was ‘being invaded’ and picked up a gun he was cleaning to protect the home, blaming the constable for his daughter’s death.
Meyer appeared in court in a wheelchair, recovering from a stroke.
Family members said they were relieved by the outcome of the trial, which was held in Lycoming County.
‘We still talk about her today, every day actually, and this is a good day for her,’ said Jason Gehman, Ciara’s uncle.
Meyer, who still faces firearms-related charges, remains in custody without bail.
He will be sentenced at a later date.