Reading Police Officer Acquitted In Manslaughter Trial

READING, MA — Reading Police Officer Erik Drauschke was acquitted in his trial on a manslaughter charge Monday, more than four years after the 2018 shooting death of a man in Reading, court records show.

Reading Police Chief David Clark responded moments after the verdict in a statement, confirming a jury had found Drauschke “not-guilty." Clark described Monday as "a solemn moment, regardless of the verdict."

Drauschke went on trial earlier this month after previously pleading “not-guilty” to a lone charge of manslaughter linked to the death of 43-year-old Alan Greenough.

The case was unique, the Boston Globe reported, as it was the first instance in nearly 30 years where a Massachusetts law enforcement officer faced a criminal charge as a result of an on-duty killing.

READ: Trial Underway For Reading Police Officer After 2018 Shooting

Previous statements from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office described the deadly incident.

Officers responding to a domestic violence call encountered Greenough initially barricaded in his apartment, the DA said. Greenough later fled, climbing out a window and ending up in a nearby car, according to the DA.

Drauschke came upon Greenough and the parked car, ordering him out of the car, the DA said.

Drauschke shot Greenough, according to the DA, after Greenough “came quickly” at him with his hands in his pockets while yelling “shoot me, shoot me.”

The DA in past statements said Drauschke approached Greenough and the car without waiting for backup, which was nearby.

The DA said Greenough was unarmed and did not attempt to flee or make threatening gestures while in the car before Drauschke ordered him to exit.

Attorneys for Greenough’s family discussed the shooting after Drauschke’s indictment in 2020, with attorney Victor Kaufman at one point saying the family was “absolutely stunned at the lack of justification.”

Peter Pasciucco, an attorney representing Drauschke, in 2020 said his client’s actions were warranted and “entirely consistent with his extensive training.”

Police officers "should not be expected to gamble with their own safety when faced with legitimate threats," Pasciucco said at the time.

Pasciucco said he expected his client to be exonerated.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys opened their trial arguments last week, as documented by the Globe.

Jurors returned their verdict on Monday of this week after roughly a day of deliberations, the Globe reported.

Clark thanked the jury on Monday “for their thoughtful consideration of the facts in this case.”

“I also offer the collective condolences of the men and women of the Reading Police Department once more to the family of Alan Greenough for their loss,” Clark continued.

“The decision to use deadly force against a human being is the most difficult moment in the life of any police officer and I know that Officer Drauschke will carry the burden of having made that choice,” he separately said.

Drauschke was placed on leave following the shooting in 2018. Initially on paid leave, Drauschke transitioned to unpaid administrative leave in 2020 after his indictment.

Contacted on Monday afternoon after the not-guilty verdict, Clark told Patch the Reading Police Department had "initiated the process of reinstating Officer Drauschke."

"It's too early to say when we will return to duty," Clark said.