By admin 
An Aurora police officer who shot and killed a 37-year-old Black man during a traffic stop last year, a case that drew significant public attention, was indicted on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, court records show.
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Matthew Neely, 54, shot and killed Rajon Belt-Stubblefield, 37, Aug. 30 near East 6th Avenue and Billings Street. The case was referred to a grand jury earlier this year.
Neely was placed on unpaid administrative leave, Gabby Easterwood, a spokesperson for the Aurora police department said Monday morning. Easterwood declined to comment on the pending litigation, but said officers are often required to make split-second decisions.
“Police officers are routinely called on to address — sometimes in seconds — dangerous and rapidly evolving situations they did not create,” Easterwood said in an email to The Colorado Sun. I am confident that all the facts will be fully examined through due process. As with any case, these filing charges are not a determination of guilt.”
Days after the shooting, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain defended Neely’s actions and blamed Belt-Stubblefield for escalating the situation.
“This was not something the officer, the department or the city of Aurora wanted,” Chamberlain said during a news conference Sept. 2. “Our officer was performing his duty, enforcing traffic laws, keeping our city safe. He did not choose this confrontation. It was the suspect’s actions that escalated and turned this into violence.”
Belt-Stubblefield’s family has disputed the chief’s account, accusing Neely’s actions as unnecessary and unjustifiable.
“He was unnecessarily, unjustifiably, and unconstitutionally executed right before his son’s face,” Ben Crump, an attorney representing Belt Stubblefield’s family said during a news conference last September.
Neely turned himself in to authorities over the weekend after an arrest warrant was issued Friday. He was later released from custody after posting a $200.000 cash surety bond, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Neely is expected in court Aug. 17.
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This is a developing news story that will be updated.