Murder Charged in Slaying of Suspect

A police officer was charged in Litchfield, Conn., with murder for allegedly shooting an unarmed suspect in the back at point-blank range while the man was on his knees. New Milford officer Scott B. Smith, who has been a police officer for less than two years, was arraigned and released on $250,000 bond. If convicted of murder in the death of Franklyn Reid, 27, who was shot after a foot chase Dec. 29, he could receive a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Smith’s lawyer, Thomas Allingham, has described the shooting as “tragic but justified.” He said Smith will plead not guilty. In a statement to investigators, Smith said that he could not see Reid’s hands and that Reid had made a sudden motion, as if turning with a weapon.