Speed Reads

police misconduct

Thousands turn out to protest Castile shooting verdict in Minnesota

An estimated 2,000 people turned out Friday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, to protest the "not guilty" verdict in the shooting death of black motorist Philando Castile by police officer Jeronimo Yanez during a traffic stop last year.

Carrying signs reading "When will black lives matter?" and "Shame," marchers assembled outside the state capitol and walked along major thoroughfares. "I'm mad as hell right now. Yes, I am," said Castile's mother, Valerie. "The system continues to fail black people."

"I'm incredibly disappointed with the jury's verdict," said a statement from Diamond Reynolds, Castile's girlfriend, who was in the car with her young daughter during the shooting. "It is a sad state of affairs when this type of criminal conduct is condoned simply because Yanez is a policeman."

Police arrested 18 people at the protest, reportedly including at least two journalists. Bonnie Kristian