The judge presiding over the trial of officer Jeronimo Yanez wrote a letter to jurors who acquitted him in the fatal shooting of Philando Castile, says he supports them.
Ramsey County District Judge William H. Leary III wrote that he wanted to thank the jurors despite the widespread public criticism they've endured.
“I write to re-assure you that you faithfully fulfilled the difficult task you were asked to undertake.”
The judge also wrote that we wasn't giving his own opinion on the officer's actions but he wanted the jury to know that the acquittal verdict they reached "was fully supported by a fair interpretation of the evidence and the law you were obligated to apply.”
Leary also wrote about the different elements of the case and parts of the law required to charge Yanez with gross negligence and recklessness.
"The state’s failure to prove any of the required elements of the charge required that you, the jury, return a verdict of not guilty. As we discussed when we met shortly after the verdict, I cannot convey my own opinions as to guilt or acquittal, but your verdict was fully supported by a fair interpretation of the evidence and the law you were obligated to apply.”