ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A judge has placed the prosecution of two U.S. Park Police officers accused of fatally shooting an unarmed motorist in Virginia under federal jurisdiction.
State and local prosecutors argued unsuccessfully at a hearing Friday in federal court that the involuntary manslaughter cases against officers Alejandro Amaya and Lucas Vinyard should remain in state court.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano obtained indictments last year against officers Alejandro Amaya and Lucas Vinyard in the shooting death of Bijan Ghaisar.
The 25-year-old VCU graduate was shot in 2017 after a stop-and-go chase on a parkway near the nation's capital.
The Justice Department had opted against filing criminal charges.
The officers argue their status as federal officers gives them immunity from state prosecution.
