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Missouri House approves change to standard for deadly force

FILE PHOTO
FILE PHOTO

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has passed a bill limiting police use of deadly force, but it faces a big hurdle on the Legislature’s final day.

The House’s vote Friday sends the bill to the Senate, where activity has been stalled this week. Legislators face a 6 p.m. deadline to give final approval to bills.

The legislation was filed in response to the fatal shooting in August of black 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white Ferguson police officer.

Current law allows the use of deadly force when an officer believes a suspect has committed or attempted a felony, is escaping with a deadly weapon or poses a serious threat to others.

The measure would limit the justification based on a felony to those that involve inflicting or threatening serious physical injury.

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