VA cop gets 16 years in Lowell man's fatal shooting: 'that's a failure'
Thomas and his lawyers contended the shooting was self-defense. He was afraid for his life, since Nicholas Lile grabbed Thomas by the neck, choked him and took him to the ground punching him, then threatened to kill him. Thomas pulled out a gun, identified himself as a police officer and fired a single shot, according to court records.
Source: chicagotribune.com