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 The decision comes amid a national outcry over police violence
against minorities, sparked by high profile police killings of
unarmed black men in cities across the country in the past year, as
well as grand jury decisions to not criminally charge the officers
involved.
Norfolk Police officer Michael Carlton Edington Jr. was charged with
voluntary manslaughter over the June 6, 2014 shooting death of
35-year-old David Latham, the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth's
Attorney said in a statement.
The nine-member panel did not return an indictment for second degree
murder, according to a copy of the statement that was published
online by local broadcaster WAVY-TV.
 On the night of the shooting, Latham's family had called police in
the hopes of getting psychiatric help for him after he had stopped
taking medication for his schizophrenia, according to WAVY-TV.
When officers arrived at the home, Latham threatened them with a
knife and was shot eight times, including twice in the back, the
broadcaster said.
An attorney for Latham's family told the network: "They are looking
for justice for their son. They are pleased the grand jury found
there is sufficient evidence to indict, but they know there is still
work to be done."
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In a statement to the station, Norfolk Police Chief Michael
Goldsmith urged the public to withhold judgment as the case plays
out.
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim told reporters that Edington remained on
the job but was on administrative leave.
(Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Dominic
Evans)
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