By Lauren Liebhaber
The Charlotte Observer
ORIENT, Ohio — A former Ohio firearms instructor has pleaded guilty in connection to the deadly shooting of another officer during a training exercise, records show.
Former Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction operations commander David Pearson, of West Chester, pleaded guilty Dec. 9 to negligent homicide in the April 9 death of 43-year-old Lt. Rodney Osborne, WSYX reported.
Pearson had initially pleaded not guilty to charges on Aug. 8, court records show.
“Mr. Pearson has accepted responsibility and we are preparing for his sentencing on the misdemeanor charge,” Attorney Kevin Lennen told McClatchy News in a statement Dec. 10.
Osborne was shot and killed during a training exercise at the Correctional Training Academy’s tactical firing range, McClatchy News previously reported.
After noticing Osborne was struggling to draw his gun from his holster and aim it correctly, Pearson said he performed a “mirror drill” with him that involved standing face to face and having Osborne mirror his actions, WBNS reported.
When Pearson pulled the trigger on his pistol, he’s accused of firing a live round, striking Osborne in the chest, the outlet reported.
Pearson told investigators he believed his gun had blank ammunition, the Scioto Post reported.
According to an investigative report by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pearson said “I thought it was clean. I thought it was clear,” WOSU reported.
“I wanted to help him,” Pearson said, according to the outlet. “I just wanted to make him better.”
Pearson was fired by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, effective Sept. 3, citing numerous employee conduct violations in connection with the fatal accident, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
A sentencing date has not been set.
Osborne worked for the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility for 13 years and was named its employee of the year days before his death, McClatchy News previously reported.
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