CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- The Richmond Police officer charged in the 2015 murder of an unarmed teenager will take the stand at his trial, according to his defense attorney.
David Cobb, 47, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Paterson Brown Jr.
Cobb pleaded not guilty during the opening day of his trial at Chesterfield County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
David Cobb (PHOTO: Chesterfield Police)
It took three hours to select a jury of nine men and five women.
Cobb wiped away tears with a tissue as the courtroom filled with family members.
The nine-year Richmond Police veteran was off-duty the morning of October 17, 2015, when he had an encounter with Brown at the Sunoco gas station, at 7559 Midlothian Turnpike.
It was there, that police said Brown entered the off-duty officer's car and drove it through the wash.
The defense said today that Cobb decided Brown was a threat after he made threatening statements about police officers.
Paterson Brown Jr.
Brown was not employed by the gas station or the car wash, police said.
Cobb’ s attorney said that Brown was ordered out of the car and that Cobb even asked a bystander to call 911.
He said that Brown was not compliant and that's when the confrontation happened.
A single shot was fired through Brown's abdomen, according to Cobb's defense attorney.
He said Cobb will testify he acted in self-defense when he fired the gun.
Cobb faces five to 40 years in prison if convicted on the second-degree murder charge.
The trial is scheduled to last three days.
