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Richmond officer charged with Chesterfield teen’s murder appears to cry in court

Posted at 10:56 AM, Feb 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-05 17:51:40-05

RICHMOND, Va. –  Richmond Police Officer David L. Cobb was granted a $25,000 bond on Friday, with the condition that he will have supervised leave and can’t possess a firearm.

A Chesterfield Grand Jury indicted Cobb Thursday, on second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Paterson Brown Jr., age 18.

The nine-year Richmond veteran was off-duty the morning of Oct. 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. Brown was not employed by the gas station or the car wash, police said.

Cobb’s girlfriend and family were in court, and his stepdaughter spoke in his defense and said that he's a great person. He appeared to be crying during his video appearance.

His step-daughter also said he was a wonderful officer and father both to his biological children and step-children.

Gun was fired at car wash

Paterson Brown Jr.

Paterson Brown Jr.

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 confrontation happened.

The attorney said that a single shot was fired, that went through Browns abdomen.

The prosecutor said Cobb’s gun was drawn for over three minutes and that Brown represented no actual threat to Cobb. The prosecutor said that surveillance just shows Brown trying to close the car door and Cobb prevented him from closing it.

Cobb had no history of violence and since has surrendered his personal firearm and the one issued to him by the RPD.

On Friday, Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham issued a statement regarding the indictment of Officer Cobb.

“Simply put, this is an unfortunate and tragic situation for all involved. Officer Cobb is an outstanding police officer and has served the department and the community well. He worked well with youth on a daily basis in his assignment as a school resource officer. We have to now allow the judicial process to take its course.”

Officer Cobb joined the department in November 2006.  He is on administrative leave without pay. Cobb also served as a school resource officer at John Marshall.

Police said that per departmental policy an internal investigation will not begin until the case has been completed in court.

His next court date is set at 9 a.m. for Feb. 25.

Who was Paterson Brown?

Brown, a graduate of James River High School, played football in high school.

Shortly after Brown's death, childhood friend Raheim Moore called Brown his brother.

"I feel like I Iost my brother and it really hurts," Moore said in an October interview. "I was talking to Paterson two weeks ago about music about how our lives are getting better. And then [he], goes out and this happens. Why?"

Moore said Brown had been dealing with personal issues and was easily influenced by others.

Paterson Brown Jr. (left) Moore (right)

Paterson Brown Jr. (left) Moore (right)

"He was a person where if he was around the right people he could do a lot of good stuff, and if he were with the bad crowd. He could go off with the bad crowd and do the most craziest stuff," Moore said.

After the shooting. a store clerk revealed Brown and two other teens came into the store bragging about partying all night. He said Brown was acting a little strange. The clerk said they left and were waiting to get a car wash behind the off-duty officer's car. That was when, he said, Brown got into the officer's car and tried to drive off.

Moore said Brown turned to music to deal with problems. He said his friend had a bright future.

"He wanted his life to be more meaningful," he said. "He wanted to be a musician. He wanted to be in college. He was really smart."

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