MISSOULA — A coroner’s inquest has determined that a Missoula police officer was justified when he shot a man to death after a high-speed chase through the city early on New Year’s Eve.
Cpl. Paul Kelly shot 20-year-old Kaileb Cole Williams in the head as Williams was strangling his girlfriend in the car. Kelly testified he heard Williams threaten to slit his girlfriend’s throat and gave the police a countdown.
Williams also asked repeatedly for the officer to shoot him in the head.
The sheriff’s office says police responded to a 911 call from Williams’ mother, who said he had assaulted her and drove away with his girlfriend.
Williams’ girlfriend, Rita Daniel, testified that she did not believe the officer should be charged with a crime.