Phoenix Ex-Officer Convicted of Aggravated Assault in Killing of Unarmed Man

Dog was killed, too

A former Phoenix police officer was convicted Tuesday of aggravated assault in the shooting deaths of an unarmed man and his dog during a domestic dispute call three years ago.

But jurors hearing the case against Richard Chrisman failed to reach a verdict on the more serious charge of second-degree murder, along with an animal cruelty charge. They deliberated for about four days.

Chrisman was charged after his partner said he fatally shot 29-year-old Danny Rodriguez and his dog without justification during an October 2010 confrontation inside a south Phoenix mobile home. Chrisman, a nine-year veteran of the force was later fired.