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Paradise Police Officer Charged With Manslaughter In Death Of Unarmed Man

PARADISE (CBS13) — More than two months after a Paradise Police officer was recorded shooting and killing an unarmed man, criminal charges have been filed against the now-former officer.

Patrick Feaster was charged with involuntary manslaughter on Monday in the killing of an unarmed man suspected of drunk driving as he tried to crawl out of his wrecked SUV.

In November, Andrew Thomas left a local bar with his headlights turned off. Feaster followed him. Thomas struck the median and rolled his vehicle ejecting his wife who died at the scene. Dashcam video shows Feaster walking up to the wreckage as Thomas tries to climb out. Feaster pulled out his gun and shot Thomas in the neck. The unarmed Thomas was initially paralyzed and later died from his injuries.

Feaster failed to tell dispatchers that shots had been fired. No shell casings were found, but Feaster can be seen searching the ground as Thomas told other officers he'd been shot.

Eleven minutes after the shooting, Feaster finally admitted he had fired his weapon.

Initially, Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey refused to file charges against Feaster. Wednesday, he did an about face and charged Feaster with involuntary manslaughter.

"But for the gunshot wound [Thomas] would not have been in the hospital, not caught the infection which led to pneumonia and kidney failure and general septic shock," Ramsey said.

Ramsey confirmed Feaster had been fired this week by the police department.

Feaster did not enter a plea in court on Wednesday.

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