A Butte County Jury convicted former Paradise Police Officer Patrick Feaster of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday, in connection with the shooting of a motorist a year ago.
The victim, 26-year-old Andrew Thomas, was paralyzed after Feaster shot him in the neck. He died three weeks later.
The jury deliberated for less than 24 hours.
Feaster fired the round as Thomas was trying to climb out of his overturned vehicle. Thomas’s estranged wife, Darien Ehorn, died at the scene.
Feaster had pursued Thomas from a Paradise bar on suspicion of DUI. Feaster was previously awarded for leading the county in DUI arrests.
The incident made headlines nationally after authorities initially decided not to prosecute the officer.
Feaster faces up to four years in prison and up to a ten thousand dollar fine.