Jury Begins Deliberations In Trial Of Thomas Latanowich, Accused Of Killing Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon
BARNSTABLE (CBS) -- Closing arguments wrapped up Tuesday in the trial against Thomas Latanowich, who is accused of killing Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon. Jurors deliberated for about two hours Tuesday without reaching a verdict.
"It is not your role to try to avenge the loss of a fallen hero. Your role and your deliberative process has to be cold, and dispassionate, and scientific," Latanowich's attorney Joseph Krowski told jurors.
Prosecutor Michael Trudeau said, "Keep your eye on the ball. This case is not at the fate of police policy and procedure, nor is it a case about a mysterious roving bent on killing, ladies and gentlemen. And it is definitely not a case where self-defense comes into play."
On Monday, Latanowich took the stand in his own defense.
Gannon was shot and killed while he and other officers were serving an arrest warrant at a home in Marstons Mills on April 12, 2018. Gannon's K-9 partner Nero was also shot, but survived. Latanowich was wanted for violating his probation and was holed up in the attic of the house when investigators say he shot Gannon and Nero.
Latanowich testified that he feared for his life while hiding in the attic because someone had recently tried to kill him. As he shot the gun into the darkness, he had no idea there was a police officer there, he said.
"As the defendant has told you himself, he's had 40 months to think about this," Trudeau said. "Ladies and gentlemen I suggest that that translates into to 40 months to come up and concoct a story to tell you."
Deliberations will continue Wednesday morning.
