Trial: De Menezes shooter “exaggerated”

The London policeman who fatally shot Jean Charles de Menezes was accused of "grossly exaggerating" his evidence.

During testimony in the inquest over de Menezes’ murder, the “police marksman” claimed that he shouted "armed police” at the Brazilian before opening fire. Yet other eyewitness testimony (including that of other policemen) contradicts the shooter, identified by the code C12.

De Menezes (image) immigrated to the U.K. from Brazil in 2002. Three years later, he was killed at a London Underground station by officers who mistook him for a suicide bomber.

The inquest into de Menezes’ death has been wrought with emotion; “I am responsible for the death of an innocent man” said C12 who broke down last week. Monday’s activities were tense as C12 denied acting irresponsibly:

Michael Mansfield QC, for the Menezes family, alleged C12 "embellished" his account to explain why he was so certain the innocent Brazilian posed a deadly threat.

The barrister put it to C12: "I am going to make it plain that what you did when it came to making a statement the following day was to grossly exaggerate what you saw in order to, as it were, convince people that he had been a terrorist about to explode a bomb, in your mind. Is there any possibility you did that?"

The officer replied: "Absolutely none whatsoever."

Image- Telegraph
Sources- BBC News, Telegraph, Times Online, Press Association, Guardian UK