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News Release

Statement from Kentucky State Police on Trooper B.J. Burton Case

Date of News Release: 12/07/2007

FRANKFORT, Ky. - "Today, a Casey County jury acquitted Trooper B. J. Burton on a charge of Reckless Homicide. This verdict confirms the conclusions of the Kentucky State Police's internal investigation that Trooper Burton acted according to his training, and within the scope of Kentucky law when he responded to the resistance of the suspect, Billy G. Phillips, after his Driving Under the Influence arrest. After hearing expert testimony and the facts of the case, the jury unanimously acquitted Trooper Burton.

Kentucky State Troopers undergo extensive training in defensive tactics on how to respond to force used against them in accordance with Kentucky Revised Statutes. This case has demonstrated the risks and dangers that face Troopers on a daily basis as they provide law enforcement services for the Commonwealth. Now that all the facts are known, we hope the healing process can now begin after this unfortunate incident."

Attribute to Lt. Colonel Dean Hayes, Acting Commissioner, Kentucky State Police

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