Robert Rialmo takes the stand in Quintonio LeGrier trial

The officer accused of shooting and killing Quintonio LeGrier is taking the stand to defend his actions.vRobert Rialmo fired seven shots in the early morning hours the day after Christmas in 2015. LeGrier, a 19-year-old college student, was home on break and had a mental health episode when he was shot and killed. 

Rialmo appeared in court flanked by Sheriff’s deputies because of alleged death threats against him. This is the first time he’s spoken on the shooting since it happened. He’s being prosecuted by LeGrier’s family and the city. Rialmo testified that he didn’t have any non-lethal weapons on him to de-escalate the encounter with LeGrier.

The key question is whether Rialmo’s lethal force was warranted. A forensic pathologist for the city testified that LeGrier’s injuries were inconsistent with Rialmo’s claim that LeGrier came at him with a bat. The pathologist also testified there was no evidence to show LeGrier took more steps after he was shot, since the shot to his spinal cord would have instantly paralyzed him.


Rialmo claims he wasn’t trained properly by the city, and he is countersuing the LeGrier estate. Rialmo will return to court Wednesday.