KING COUNTY, Wash. — An Auburn police officer was sentenced Thursday to more than 16 years in prison for the 2019 death of a homeless man.
Officer Jeffrey Nelson was trying to arrest Jesse Sarey for disorderly conduct at the time.
Thursday’s ruling is the first conviction under a Washington state law that made it easier to prosecute officers for on-duty killings.
A jury found Nelson guilty last June 27 of second-degree murder and first-degree assault.
Prosecutors claim that Nelson punched Sarey multiple times before shooting him in the stomach and then the forehead.
Nelson claimed Sarey tried to grab his gun and a knife, so he shot him in self-defense, but video showed Sarey was on his back with his head positioned away from Nelson after the first shot.
Statement from King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion:
“A King County jury found that Officer Nelson’s actions were not above the law, and a King County judge has sentenced him to prison. We respect the jury’s decision in June and the Court’s decision today. The sentence reflects the very serious nature of Jeffrey Nelson’s crimes. This is the first time an officer has been tried, convicted and sentenced in Washington State under the reforms of I-940. We have always known how impactful this case is to the individuals involved and to the community as a whole. Our thoughts continue to be with the family and loved ones of Jesse Sarey.”
Nelson remains on unpaid leave with the Auburn force.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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