A grand jury has indicted Nicholas O'Malley, a 34-year-old Boston police officer, on a voluntary manslaughter charge related to the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Stephenson King Jr., a suspect in a carjacking incident. The shooting occurred on March 11 in Roxbury, where O'Malley allegedly fired three shots at King as he attempted to escape in a stolen vehicle. According to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden’s office, O'Malley had no legal justification for shooting at a moving car. O'Malley was initially released on personal recognizance following his arraignment in March, and the indictment shifts the case to Suffolk Superior Court for future proceedings.

King had a significant criminal record, with over 17 cases in Massachusetts, including serious offenses such as carjacking and assault. His defense attorney, David Yannetti, argues that King was a dangerous threat and that O'Malley acted out of fear for his life and the safety of others. However, prosecutors have pointed to witness accounts and police video evidence that challenge O'Malley's narrative. The case raises critical questions about police use of force and the legal standards governing such actions.