A coroner’s jury ruled Tuesday that Hamilton Police Officer Ross Jessop was justified in shooting Raymond Thane Davis to death after the Hamilton man opened fire during a late night traffic stop in January.
It took the six-woman jury one hour to make its ruling following nearly five hours of testimony, which included a videotape that showed Davis pointing a pistol inches from Jessop’s face and pulling the trigger.
The click of the revolver’s hammer hitting a previously fired round was audible on the tape.
Davis fired a second time as the officer fell back and drew his own weapon.
Jessop fired his pistol 14 times into Davis’ vehicle as it sped away. One round hit the man in the back. Davis, 36, died on the scene.
His .41 caliber revolver was recovered on the floorboard. Its hammer was cocked and ready to fire.
Witnesses testified Tuesday Davis’ taste for whiskey and a bad case of jealousy were to blame for the fatal confron-tation.